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Why exercise improves your psychological well-being

Why exercise improves your psychological well-being

February 28, 2024

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 distress. As a result, 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 to promote psychological well-being. Which? In this article you will find some.

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How physical exercise enhances psychological well-being

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


1. Experience a sense of success

Exercising is usually not an easy task. It implies a series of behaviors to which we may not be accustomed. For example, maintain a routine, wake up earlier or improve feeding. In addition, it causes a series of bodily reactions that make the task even more uncomfortable: our heart rhythms are accelerated, breathing becomes more difficult, sweating increases, muscles contract.

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


2. Improve the self-image

The self-image is the set of characteristics that we attribute to our person, it is an integral 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 that we have of ourselves , in relation to the cultural standards of beauty and physical well-being, it is positively modified: we look stronger, more muscular or healthier, which usually improves the value we attribute to ourselves. In addition, as we feel more satisfied with how we perceive ourselves, we also relate more safely to others.

3. Improve mood and reduce stress levels

Perform 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 pleasurable sensations. This is linked to the reduction of stress and anxiety levels .


When we exercise, neuromuscular tensions diminish, as well as some hormones related to stress, and the cardiac pulse is normalized, which moderates anxiety. All this helps us maintain a good mood and release tension, which also has positive consequences in our interpersonal relationships and even in stabilize our sleep cycles .

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4. Change habits

Habits are the behaviors we perform so repeatedly that they become characteristics of our way of life. When we start exercising constantly, we inevitably take care of other aspects related to a healthy lifestyle, such as eating or maintaining a day structure. That is, exercise, and the associated sense of success, It predisposes us to pay more attention to what we eat , the hours when we get up or fall asleep, the frequency with which we exercise, and may even motivate us to watch other types of habits that are generally harmful, such as the constant consumption of tobacco 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 benefits registered is the development of executive control skills such as planning, task scheduling, short-term memory and multitasking. Among other factors, this has been related to a significant improvement in neuronal plasticity (the anatomical adaptation of neurons to environmental changes and demands). 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 do activities that do not involve greater economic effort or displacement, such as running or doing daily routines in your own home. You can even resort to new technologies and find different online options to exercise without having to leave your house.


Physical, Mental, And Overall Health Benefits Of Regular Exercise - How Exercise Improves Health (February 2024).


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