5 Exercises For Mental Health & Fitness
How often do you think about your mental health? Although it’s easy to focus on physical health, such as going to the gym or eating healthy, it’s important to pay attention to your mental health as well, because both are equally essential to living a happy and successful life. Mental fitness involves training your brain just like physical fitness requires training your body, so here are 5 exercises that will improve your mental fitness.
1) Yoga - The Best Exercise to Reduce Stress
Most of us live in a stressful world with very little time to unwind. Yoga can help you reduce stress and release pent-up energy. With yoga, you can alleviate physical pain caused by overworked muscles. You don’t have to be flexible or fit to do yoga—you just need to be willing to give it a try! We’ve highlighted three reasons why yoga is one of the best exercises for mental health and fitness. [BLANK] What Is Mental Fittness? BLANK]
2) Cycling - The Best Exercise to Overcome Depression
Depression is a mental health condition in which a person experiences a persistent and overwhelming sense of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest. According to exercise psychology studies, cycling has been shown to be an effective treatment for depression. Unlike high-impact exercises like running or playing football, cycling offers low impact workouts that still burn calories and promote increased blood flow to all regions of your body including your brain. Recent research shows that people who cycle regularly may have less stress in their lives as well as higher life satisfaction scores.
3) Swimming - The Best Exercise to Beat Anxiety
Swimming has been shown to effectively reduce anxiety and improve mood. It has also been found to be more effective than most other forms of exercise when it comes to reducing stress. This is because in addition to being a low-impact aerobic exercise, swimming also triggers your body’s relaxation response. Additionally, many people find that being in or near water can help alleviate their anxiety and promote feelings of calmness and relaxation.
4) Dancing - The Best Exercise to Beat Insomnia
A new study has found that taking a few minutes to dance each day can help you sleep faster and longer. Researchers say it’s because dancing increases levels of oxytocin, known as the love hormone, which helps calm your mind and lower stress. Over time, that could improve overall mental health—and have a dramatic effect on your sleep cycle. After a stressful day at work or school, go home and bust out your favorite dance moves: You’ll be snoozing in no time.
5) Stretching - The Best Exercise To Combat Low Energy Levels
When we don’t stretch, our muscles are less able to support us physically and are more likely to tense up or cramp. This means you can be tired and stressed out even if you’re sleeping enough. Stretching alleviates these problems by giving your body and brain a chance to clear their minds of stress. It also helps muscles recover faster, meaning you won’t be as sore after an intense workout session.
