By this point in your life you probably have already heard that exercise helps fight depression and keeps you healthy both mentally and physically. It is well documented that exercise releases chemicals in your brain that help your mood, boosts self esteem, and helps with sleep cycles as well. Not only does exercise decrease the amount of stress hormones, but it also stimulates cell growth of the hippocampus, the part of the brain denoted to memory and learning. With all these benefits, we should all take time out of our day to get a little bit of exercise. This is easier said than done though, where does one start?
First, it is important to understand just what what level of exercise is needed to improve mental health. Don’t worry, it isn’t as much as you would think. It all boils down to twenty minutes of moderate exercise five times a week. To put you more at ease, moderate exercise is not a daunting task. It is defined as exercising enough to slightly elevate your heart-rate and make you feel warm. Luckily this means that we don’t need to be jogging 5-miles in the cold to achieve this. Moderate exercise can be done simply by walking at a more brisk pace than you would normally. So next time you are walking somewhere, walk with vigour and you will be on your way to better mental health.
Taking simple steps to schedule exercise into your weekly routine will have huge benefits for your physical and mental health. Now the important thing is to find a means of exercise that works with your schedule and your interests. Remember that exercise is a rather loose term in this context, it does not mean you need to get a gym membership. However, maybe that is your means of motivating yourself. There really is no wrong way to exercise, despite what people may tell you. So long as you work within your limits and use decent form, no type of exercise is actually bad. I have personally encountered many people who have told me my means of exercising is “not efficient” or “won’t produce results”. Don’t listen to these people! So long as you are keeping active you are doing it right.
Try to find what works with you. Are you a social person? Then try to find someone to exercise with you. The added person could keep you motivated to get out on those rainy mornings. If you prefer to be alone, then find a solo activity. Jogging and going to the gym aren’t for you? Find a way to trick yourself into exercising. Playing sports is an awesome way to exercise, especially because we forget that we are doing is exercise. Playing ultimate frisbee is great exercise, yet I have fun while doing it! Find what works for you and start doing it. Don’t let others tell you how you should exercise, everyone will have their opinion, but you know better than anyone what will work for you. So with that, get out there and find what works with you.