Physically Active A Secret to Mental Health/ Fitness

Physical activity nowadays is neglected by most of the individuals including children. Moreover being physically active plays an important role in maintaining our mental health and it also keeps our body fit and healthy.

Any sort of physical activity or exercise increases our self-esteem and can reduce our stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety affects our mental health and it is necessary to physically be active.

One can make a habit of doing physical activity or exercise on a daily basis. Exercise when done daily, gives a sense of well-being.

Here are some types of workouts, exercises or physical activity that could improve your mental health.

Walking Or Running Could Improve Your Mental Health:

• Helps you live longer.

• Improves your mood. A study in 2012 found that running or walking for just 30 minutes a day can improve a person’s mood, help improve sleep, and increase concentration levels throughout the day.

• It also helps you cope with stress. Also the most common psychological benefits of running is stress relief. Stress comes from a variety of causes, such as work, family, or life-changing events. Moreover running does increase the amount of norepinephrine (a chemical) that can moderate the brain’s stress response and reduces stress.

The other benefits of running and walking is it keeps your eyes healthy, good for old age people, burns calories and it builds self confidence. One should walk or run for at least 30 minutes a day.

Yoga plays an important role in improving mental health:

Yoga is a physical activity consisting mainly of postures and asanas often connected by flowing sequences, sometimes accompanied by breathing exercises, and frequently ending with relaxation.

It plays a major role in fostering mental calmness. Study shows that yoga therapy can help with anxiety, stress and depression. Some of the benefits of yoga are:

• Increases body awareness.

• Asanas like vipreet karani, balasana, uttanasana, baddha konasana, savasana, paschimottanasana and sirsasana relieves stress and anxiety, and keeps you mentally calm and relaxed.

• Calms and centers the nervous system.

• Sharpens attention and concentration.

There are several more benefits of yoga. Like wise there is no such disease that cannot be cured by yoga. There is yoga asanas for every disease.

Practice yoga daily, it keeps your body fit, mind calm and makes your soul happy. Make a habit of opting natural remedies.

Outdoor Sports:

Always known for its physical benefits, research has also found that sport participation can positively affect your mental health.

Make a habit of playing some or the other outdoor sport, it will keep your mind active. Some of the benefits of outdoor sports are:

• Reduces stress and depression.

• Changes your mood.
• Boosts your self confidence.

• Sports improves your concentration.

• Improves your sleep.

• Benefits children, specially keeps them active and healthy.

There are several more benefits of playing sports. Consider playing outdoor sports like tennis, badminton, football, basketball etc. to keep your mind relaxed and fit, and your body flexible.

Dance Fitness (zumba):

Dance fitness is a combination of music, dance and fitness moves. Its main purpose is to make the body fit however it also calms your mind and improves mental health.

• Your mind relaxes when you listen to the music and dance.

• Improves mood, lowers stress and anxiety.

• It is considered as a good physical activity for depression reduction.

• Makes you mind and body flexible.

• Dance fitness increases the level of happiness.

The result showed people who took dance fitness classes improve their mental health and reported a boost in their mood. Dance fitness reduces stress and makes your soul happy. It is beneficial for people of all age groups.

As per a study, it is proven that exercise or any physical activity can treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressant medication, it can treat stress, anxiety and trauma without any side effects.

Some Or the other physical activity or exercise is necessary. It not only keeps us mentally fit but also keeps our body fit.

You don’t have to spend hours, just a few minutes of physical activity or exercise daily are better than none at all.

These tips can help you find activities you enjoy and start to feel better, look better, improve your mental health and get more out of life.