I used to think that exercise was mainly for persons who want to lose weight or gain muscles.
Those were not my goals so I didn’t have much interest or desire to engage in more physical activity weekly.
But when I started feeling stressed and anxious, I knew I needed a way to improve my mental health.
So I looked for different ways and realized that there are several options like trusting God, having a hobby and exercising.
In this blog post, I’m focusing on exercise and sharing how it helped reduce stress and anxiety naturally.
Here are 3 benefits of exercise that I have experienced.
Ways Exercise Improved My Mental Health
1) Exercise helped to boost my mood
After exercising regularly, I noticed that exercise helped to boost my mood.
When you exercise, endorphins are released. Endorphins are hormones that are sometimes referred to as “feel-good” hormones because they do exactly that…they make you feel good.
I also noticed that I am more optimistic when exercise is a part of my weekly routine. So I don’t feel depressed and hopeless when I am faced with challenges and unexpected setbacks. I can see opportunities and possible solutions more readily.
Another benefit is that I am less irritable and I have more patience with others.
2) Exercise helped to reduce stress
I have found that exercise forces me to breathe deeply which helps to calm my mind. It also helps me to worry less and I can overcome stressful events quicker. And I feel less overwhelmed by the cares of life.
A good workout allows me to release the built-up tension and stress that would burden me and make me feel very emotional.
I also noticed that I tend to lose my appetite when I am stressed and anxious so I would eat only one meal for the day. But whenever I exercise, I feel more relaxed and I realized that my appetite would return to normal.
3) Exercise helped me to think more clearly
After my workout sessions, I realized that I was less worried and there were fewer thoughts about my problems.
I was also less overwhelmed, flustered and stressed. So I could step back and deal with the problems in a very rational manner.
I was able to devise a plan, create action steps and execute them successfully.
This helped me to be more productive so I ended up getting more done daily. So I had more time to relax and focus on the things I enjoy.
Suggested Video: Fun Ways To Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Key Tips for Exercise
1) Exercise regularly to reap the benefits
If you really want to reap the benefits of exercise, you have to do it regularly.
Some people recommend 150 minutes per week. But I have found that 3 to 4 times a week is good enough if the session is long enough to increase the heart rate.
2) Drink more water so you can stay hydrated
Sad to say, exercise can lead to dehydration which can lead to dizziness and fatigue. It can even lead to rapid breathing which may cause you to panic.
Therefore it is very important that you drink lots of water to replenish the body and stay hydrated.
3) Start at your pace
If you haven’t exercised in a while then make sure to start at your pace. Give your body time to adjust to the increased level of physical activity.
So don’t try to run a mile on your first day. Walk a few blocks then gradually increase the distance.
If you prefer to jog or work out then make sure you warm up properly before each session to prevent injury.
Fun Ways to Exercise
You can start exercising for just 5 minutes a day. Here are some fun ways to start exercising today.
1) You can start hula hooping
You may be familiar with hula hooping as a child but you probably forgot all about it as an adult.
Well, hula hooping is a great way to reap the benefits of exercise because it is fun, it’s a cardio activity and it’s inexpensive.
Suggested article: 27 Hobbies to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
2) Go shopping at a mall or grocery store
When you think about shopping, you may not think about exercise. And that’s why it’s a great and fun way to increase your physical activity.
You’re walking, climbing stairs, going through the clothing racks, pushing a cart and carrying heavy bags.
These are all great activities to help you move your body more without seeing exercise as a chore.
3) Dance to your favourite music
Dancing to your favourite music or an upbeat track is also considered exercise and you reap the benefits of similar cardio activities.
When I was younger, one of my favourite activities was creating my choreography so you can do the same.
This also works if your favourite music is Christian worship songs. So you can turn on the music and start dancing as you praise and worship (and dance like David in 2 Samuel 6:14).
4) Go for a swim
Swimming is a great exercise because it allows you to work out your entire body. And it’s also fun to be in the water.
If you cannot swim, you can try walking in the water and that will be a great work out because you will have to push against the resistance of the water.
Or you can walk or jog on the sand if you live close to the beach.
5) You can exercise using YouTube videos
You can use YouTube videos as a guide to help you walk or work out at home. You get to decide based on your fitness goals and your interests.
And you can even search for videos that will help you to sculpt your body without using any equipment.
I always thought that I had to go outside to exercise so that was always my excuse but exercise can be effectively done indoors even at home.
Many YouTube videos facilitate indoor exercise and they definitely help to increase the heart rate and provide other wonderful benefits of physical activity.
Takeaway
Exercise is a great way to improve your health and productivity.
Remember there are various ways to exercise so you don’t have to stick to the traditional way of jogging or going to the gym.
You can start exercising right now at home or even at the mall. You get to decide how you incorporate physical activity into your week.
Make it fun so you will be more likely to continue.
If you prefer to be indoors, then exercise with videos and if you prefer outdoors then go for a hike or do some window shopping.
And you can choose to do it solo or with a friend or two. It’s up to you.
If you want to include more self-care activities in your day, then make sure to download this FREE 21-Day Self-Care Challenge Checklist. It will help you to develop the habit of making self-care a priority. Click here to download.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, therapist or a licensed mental health professional hence this information is not suitable for professional medical advice. Do not use this information as an excuse to stop taking prescribed medication.