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Why exercising improves your psychological well-being

Recently, in public health, sedentary lifestyle has been proposed as an important factor in the appearance of different chronic diseases, as well as in the increase of psychological discomfort. Consequently, some countries have promoted policies that reinforce lifestyles based on physical activity. That is, exercising daily is one of the most recommended activities to maintain a healthy life. It has great benefits, not only for physical health but also to promote psychological well-being. Which? In this article you will find some.

  • Related article: "Practicing physical exercise improves academic performance"

How physical exercise enhances psychological well-being

These are the different ways that exercise improves our mental well-being.

1. Experience a sense of success

Exercising is usually not an easy task. It involves a series of behaviors that we may not be used to. For example, stick to a routine, wake up earlier, or improve your diet. In addition, it provokes a series of bodily reactions that make the task even more uncomfortable: our rhythms. heart rates speed up, breathing becomes more difficult, sweating increases, muscles become contract.

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Concluding an exercise routine, despite these experiences, is a self-recognition factor that allows us to feel successful and that influences the secretion of dopamine, one of the neurotransmitters related to obtaining rewards. The achievement of objectives increases tolerance to frustration and improves self-concept: by feeling successful after reaching a goal, also improve the value judgments we make about ourselves themselves.

2. Improve self-image

Self-image is the set of characteristics that we attribute to our person, it is a comprehensive assessment of what we perceive about ourselves. One of the consequences of exercising constantly is to begin to notice physical changes that are generally positive, and that, in addition, are recognized by the people around us. In consecuense, the mental representation we have of ourselves, in relation to the cultural standards of beauty and physical well-being, is modified positively: we look stronger, more muscular or healthier, which usually improves the value that we attribute ourselves. In addition, by feeling more satisfied with how we perceive ourselves, we also interact more safely with others.

3. Improve mood and reduce stress levels

Performing an exercise routine allows us to experience joy and euphoria, which makes us seek to continue or repeat the activity. This is related to the release of endorphins, which are neurotransmitters with analgesic effects that cause pleasant sensations. The same is linked to the reduction of stress and anxiety levels.

When we exercise, neuromuscular tensions decrease, as well as some hormones related to stress, and the heart rate normalizes, which moderates anxiety. All this helps us to maintain a good mood and release tension, which, in addition, has positive consequences in our interpersonal relationships and even in stabilize our sleep cycles.

  • You may be interested: "Types of stress and their triggers"

4. Change habits

Habits are the behaviors that we perform so repeatedly that they become characteristic of our way of life. When we start to exercise constantly, we inevitably take care of other aspects related to a healthy lifestyle, such as eating or maintaining a structure during the day. In other words, exercising and the associated feeling of success, predisposes us to pay more attention to what we eat, the hours we get up or go to sleep, the frequency with which we exercise, and even It can motivate you to watch other types of generally harmful habits such as constant tobacco consumption or alcohol.

5. Optimize cognitive functions

Scientific research in the neuropsychological area has linked exercise with a significant improvement in cognitive processes. Above all, effects on aging have been documented, although not exclusively. One of the recorded benefits is the development of executive control skills such as planning, scheduling tasks, short-term memory, and multitasking. Among other factors, this has been linked to a significant improvement in Neuronal plasticity (The anatomical adaptation of neurons to changes and demands of the environment). There are also improvements in problem solving, motor stimulation and selective attention.

Given the recommendations and scientific evidence, it is important that everyone take the initiative and dedicate a space and time to exercise. Commonly it is recommended to do between 20 and 30 minutes a day, combining aerobic and muscular exercises. If you are not used to it, you can increase 5 minutes a day and perform routines two or three times a week.

In addition, you can perform activities that do not involve greater financial or travel effort, such as running or doing daily routines in your own home. You can even turn to new technologies and find different options online to exercise without having to leave your home.

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