Top Mental Health Benefits of Regular Exercise and Self-Care

As someone who’s had my fair share of mental health struggles, I can attest to the power of regular exercise and self-care in improving wellbeing. In this blog post, I’ll be delving into the top mental health benefits of both, providing helpful context and plenty of emojis along the way.

🏋️‍♀️ Exercise: releasing feel-good chemicals

Did you know that exercise can release a whole bunch of feel-good chemicals in your brain? Yup, that’s right - endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin are all on the table when you get moving. Endorphins are particularly important, because they’re natural painkillers that can also boost mood and reduce anxiety.

The catch? You don’t have to go all-out at the gym to reap the benefits. Even a gentle stroll around the block can help you feel better. The key is to move your body in a way that feels good to you - whether that’s a vigorous Zumba class or a leisurely bike ride.

💆‍♀️ Self-care: reducing stress levels

Stress can wreak havoc on your mental health, and that’s where self-care comes in. By taking time to rest, recharge, and engage in activities you enjoy, you can reduce your stress levels and boost your resilience.

What’s great about self-care is that it can take many forms. Maybe you love soaking in a bubble bath, maybe you feel most relaxed when you’re practicing yoga or knitting. Whatever it is, make sure you carve out time for it on a regular basis.

🌄 Exercise: improving sleep quality

If you struggle with insomnia, exercise might be your new best friend. Studies have shown that regular physical activity can help improve the quality and duration of sleep, as well as reducing the time it takes to fall asleep.

There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, exercise can help to regulate your body’s internal clock, making it easier to nod off at the right time. Secondly, it can help to reduce cortisol levels (the hormone which regulates stress), which can interfere with sleep if they’re too high.

🛀 Self-care: boosting self-esteem

When you’re so busy taking care of others that you forget about yourself, it’s easy to start feeling low in confidence and self-worth. That’s where self-care comes in. By engaging in activities that make you feel good, you can boost your self-esteem and start to reaffirm your value.

This could be something as simple as taking a few minutes to practice gratitude each day, or it could be something more extravagant like planning a solo getaway to somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit.

🚴‍♀️ Exercise: improving cognitive function

It’s not just your body that benefits from exercise - your brain does too! Studies have shown that regular physical activity can help to improve cognition, memory, and attention span.

This is because exercise stimulates the growth of new neural connections in the brain, which can improve communication between different regions. It can also increase the production of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a protein that helps to support the growth of new brain cells.

💆‍♀️ Self-care: promoting mindfulness

Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment and accepting things as they are, without judgement. And while it might sound simple, it’s a skill that takes practice to develop. That’s where self-care comes in.

By engaging in mindful activities like meditation, journaling, or simply enjoying a quiet cup of tea, you can learn to be more present in your everyday life. This, in turn, can help to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as improving your overall sense of wellbeing.

🌄 Exercise: reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety

This might be the most important benefit of all. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of both depression and anxiety, making it a powerful part of any mental health toolkit.

There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, exercise reduces levels of cortisol and adrenaline - both of which can contribute to feelings of anxiety. Secondly, it can help to boost self-esteem and release endorphins, which can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

So there you have it - the top mental health benefits of regular exercise and self-care. Remember, it’s important to find the activities that work for you, and to make them a regular part of your routine. Whether you’re hitting the gym or practicing self-care on the sofa, your mental health will thank you for it.