Make Time for Exercise
We’ve talked about the happy hormones that can help you put some pep in your step, but how can you really get those pumping? Make some time for exercise. You might not have hours to spend at the gym, and that’s perfectly fine! A little bit each day can do a lot for your happiness and overall well-being.
Exercise for your mental health
Your physical and mental health work hand in hand on a continuous basis. Although it is not possible to completely eliminate mental disorders by advocating for more exercise, studies have shown the benefits endorphins have on our mood, which are released during moderate and strenuous exercise. By incorporating exercise into our regular routines, even 30 minutes a day, we develop better habits that not only improve our physical well-being but also improve our mood. It is more important to stay consistent; and by doing things in moderation, we are more likely to stick to our new routines and meet our daily goals!
Start things slow
If you’re new to exercise, start with low-intensity workouts for short periods of time. A few examples of low intensity workouts include fast walking, yoga, riding a bike, and swimming laps in the pool. These are gentle on your joints and muscles, but still get your blood pumping. YouTube and Pinterest are both full of ideas for workouts if you need help establishing a routine that works for your body type.
Keep yourself accountable
Consider working out with a small group of friends. Not only can you bounce ideas off of each other for workouts, but you can be each other’s motivation. Set times that you can go to the gym together. If you feel like the gym isn’t the right place for what you need, then take a walk at the local park. Working out in a group is a great way to keep yourself accountable.
Exercise for the endorphins
Working out isn’t all about weight loss. Exercising can help you have a better self-image. Improving your self-confidence can be a great way to improve your mental health. A commonly used phrase for people who enjoy spending time in the gym is referred to as ‘runners high’ because of the effect it has on your brain. Researchhas shown that triggering the endorphin release in your brain is more likely to happen if a workout lasts thirty minutes, so set your timer and try to reach at least that half an hour mark!
Are you thinking that your schedule is too busy to add in working out? No way! Wake up thirty minutes earlier in the morning and do a quick yoga session. Eat your lunch while you take a couple laps around the parking lot at work. Get yourself an under-the-desk-set of bike pedals. A few hours a day you could switch out your chair at work for a yoga ball. You can make time for a thirty-minute workout if you’re ready to be persistent with your mental health.
What workouts are you going to try this week? Does your local gym have any group classes that you can get signed up for? We would love to hear about the things you’re doing to take charge of your mental health.