The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise

Exercise is great for your body but did you know it also has Mental Health Benefits? Including dealing with depression, anxiety, stress and more?

It can improve your physical health and physique but that’s not what motivates most people to stay active. People who exercise regularly tend to do so because they feel better for it. 

Their energy levels increase throughout the day, they sleep better at night. They also feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives. Regular exercise has a positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD and just generally boosts your overall mood.

Once you’ve done some form of exercise you generally go on to have a good day. Lots of people train in the morning as it sets them up for a positive day ahead. 

You don’t have to be a fitness fanatic to reap the benefits.

Research shows that modest amounts of exercise can make a difference. No matter your age or level of fitness, you can use exercise as a powerful tool to feel better.

I asked one of my clients why she enjoyed the training and her response was…

 “It’s sometimes hard to get myself motivated and to go to the gym if I’m in a negative state of mind. If I’m booked in for a session with Andy, I go as I don’t want to let him down.

Every single time I am so pleased I forced myself.”

“An hour of physical exercise and I feel happier, livelier, energised, motivated to eat cleaner and generally like myself again! Therefore, I take better care of myself and my well-being. Training is the way forward and keeps my mind in a better place and feeling confident and positive again.”

Exercise is a powerful depression fighter for several reasons. It promotes all kinds of changes in the brain that promote feelings of calm and well-being. It also releases endorphins that make you feel great. Exercise can distract your mind from negativity. It allows you some quiet time to break out of that negative cycle of thoughts that feed depression.

“When playing professional rugby, and had just signed for Leeds Rhinos which was a massive high in my career, 3 weeks into pre-season I ruptured my Achilles and was out for 6 months. I was absolutely gutted!!

In my first game back from injury I played 60 minutes before I got injured in a tackle. After a scan, it turned out I ruptured my bicep and was out for a further 6 months. Going from doing something you love every day to not being able to do anything, it’s hard and I felt down.

However, doing my rehabilitation, training in the gym and working around my injuries kept me in a positive frame of mind and allowed me to come back to full fitness and get back playing again. 

This just proves exercise helps with your mental health. 

“Make exercise a fun part of your everyday life and blow the negative thoughts away.”

Thanks for taking the time to read my article

Andy