Benefits of Physical Activity

We all know that exercising regularly has huge benefits for our physical health. But what you may not know is that it can be just as beneficial for your mental health. Research indicates that regular physical activity can alleviate symptoms of certain mental health conditions including depression and anxiety. 

Benefits of exercise: 

·      Releases feel-good hormones into your brain, including endorphins and serotonin which help to reduce low mood. 

·      Improves sleep- exercise is known to help you in getting a better night’s sleep and will leave you feeling more energised the next day. 

·      It leaves you with a sense of accomplishment. It’s super rewarding to see your fitness improve and to be achieving your goals. 

·      It can be a great opportunity to socialise and connect with others- reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.

·      Improves self-esteem- exercise helps you feel good about yourself and your body which has an effect on your overall mood. 

Motivation doesn’t always come before exercise sometimes you just need to get out of bed or off the couch and start. If you’re really struggling with motivation here are some tips to help: 

1.     Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Start small, you don’t have to run a marathon. Try walking up your street or doing a block. You might find that by the time you’ve reached the end of the street you’re feeling a bit better and wanting to go further! 

2.     Do something fun. Choosing something you actually enjoy doing will make it a lot easier for you to get up and go! I absolutely hate doing burpees so I avoid them, there’s tonnes of other forms of exercise you can do! Yoga, Pilates, walking, running, going to the gym.  

3.     Do it with a friend. Making a commitment to someone else means you’re less likely to make excuses for not going. Your friend can hold you accountable and help motivate you if you really can’t be bothered. 

4.     Make sure you listen to your body. Sometimes we do need a break, or we need to choose a form of exercise that isn’t as high intensity. Listen to what your body needs on the day, who knows maybe it’ll start off as a walk and turn into a run.