Move happy! How to Exercise to Improve Your Mood, Whatever Your Fitness Level
Everyone knows the benefits of exercise: stronger muscles, more energy, weight management, better sleep. A mood boost is often added as a bonus. But there's stronger evidence than ever that movement not only improves your mental health, but also protects it.
Depression is the fourth most serious illness in the world , but the psychological benefits of exercise have been overlooked, says Jack Raglin, professor of kinesiology at Indiana University School of Public Health: "The evidence just keeps coming in."
>In fact, even if you were to exercise just for your mind, it would be worth it - and the good news is that a little makes a big difference. Here's how to move happily.
How does movement improve our mood?The psychological benefits of exercise are widely believed to come from the release of endorphins , but this is an oversimplification. "The evidence for this is really weak," says Raglin.
Instead, when we exercise, we produce a cocktail of hormones, including endocannabinoids - all of which help make us feel good. Endorphins are produced at a certain intensity of activity, but the mood-boosting effects of exercise are felt at a much lower level.
What kind of psychological benefits are we talking about?
Everyone knows the benefits of exercise: stronger muscles, more energy, weight management, better sleep. A mood boost is often added as a bonus. But there's stronger evidence than ever that movement not only improves your mental health, but also protects it.
Depression is the fourth most serious illness in the world , but the psychological benefits of exercise have been overlooked, says Jack Raglin, professor of kinesiology at Indiana University School of Public Health: "The evidence just keeps coming in."
>In fact, even if you were to exercise just for your mind, it would be worth it - and the good news is that a little makes a big difference. Here's how to move happily.
How does movement improve our mood?The psychological benefits of exercise are widely believed to come from the release of endorphins , but this is an oversimplification. "The evidence for this is really weak," says Raglin.
Instead, when we exercise, we produce a cocktail of hormones, including endocannabinoids - all of which help make us feel good. Endorphins are produced at a certain intensity of activity, but the mood-boosting effects of exercise are felt at a much lower level.
What kind of psychological benefits are we talking about?What's Your Reaction?
