If living healthy is your goal, exercise should be a no-brainer. We all know that cardio and strength training can be great for your physical fitness, but did you know that it can boost your mental health as well?
From stress reduction to better sleep, exercise offers many key benefits. Recent research even suggests that exercise may be better than counseling or medications in treating certain disorders!
If you're looking for even more reasons to get more use out of your home gym equipment, we've got you covered. Here are five ways exercise can help improve your mental health.
1. Reduces Anxiety and Stress
If you're dealing with mental stress, making good use of your exercise gear is a great way to get rid of it. Exercising stimulates our brain's production of norepinephrine, a chemical that helps us moderate our stress response.
Regular exercise can also help our bodies manage our "anxiety sensitivity." This is a measure of how sensitive you are to anxiety and stress. When your body gets used to the same physiological symptoms that pop up when you're working out, such as sweating or a faster heartbeat, you become less reactive to these same symptoms when you're dealing with anxiety.
In addition, the stress-reducing benefits of exercise may even make you less likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder or depression.
2. Promotes Happy Hormones
Beyond lowering anxiety and stress, using your home gym equipment can boost your mood. When we exercise, our brain begins to produce endorphins. These powerful chemicals are what create feelings of happiness and high spirits.
3. Improves Sleep
You might not think better sleep plays a huge role in mental health, but that's only true if you're getting enough! Poor sleep quality can lead to a range of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety disorders.
Getting regular exercise can be a great way to get a full night's sleep, as it can help regulate your circadian rhythm. However, experts recommend exercising at least two hours or so before bedtime.
4. Increases Self-Esteem
Living healthy through fitness can be a simple way to improve your self-esteem. When you find yourself rewarded with physical achievements like more energy, added strength and muscle tone, or lost weight, it's easy to feel a little more confident! Whether your goal is to reduce fat or change your physique, exercise can make you feel better in your own skin.
5. Boosts Brainpower
Last, but not least, exercise can boost your brainpower. Studies show that cardio in particular can prompt the creation of new brain cells and improve overall brain performance. Research also links exercise with improved memory, and experts believe it may even help us prevent cognitive decline as we age.
Improve Your Mental Health
Whether you're hoping to reduce your anxiety or improve your sleep, you can't go wrong with a bit of home exercise. Even a short daily session can help if your goal is living well.
If you're looking for ways to improve your mental health through exercise at home, Sports & Fitness Exchange offers a huge range of name-brand and high-quality gym equipment for less. From treadmills to strength machines, we have everything you need to start living healthy today. Shop our home gym equipment or come by our store for more information.
