There are many different ways that the great link between physical exercise and mental health shows itself.
Exercise physiologist Quinn Carter leads us through the amazing processes by which exercise changes not just our bodies but also our cognitive ability and emotional terrain.
Our brain chemistry changes right away when we move. Endorphins provide that well-known “runner’s high,” but Quinn notes this is only starting. Exercise-induced neurogenesis, the creation of new brain cells in the hippocampal area vital for memory and emotional control, yields more long-lasting effects. This biological mechanism might help to explain why regular exercisers usually show better focus and more stress resistance.
There are different psychological advantages to different kinds of movement. While strength training develops mental fortitude along with physical power, aerobic activities like swimming or cycling can improve mood through higher serotonin generation. Quinn especially stresses the benefits of deliberate movement techniques like yoga or tai chi, which combine contemplative awareness with physical effort to relax the nervous system.
Most impressively, perhaps, consistent physical exercise is a strong preventive agent against anxiety and sadness. Quinn cites to studies demonstrating that keeping up an exercise schedule can lower depression risk by up to thirty percent. Movement becomes a useful supplemental therapy for people already dealing with mental health issues; some studies indicate it can be as successful as medicine for mild to severe depression.
One should not also ignore the social component of fitness. While solitary exercise gives great opportunity for introspection and processing, group activities give connection and responsibility. “Find movement you enjoy, and you’ll never have to force yourself to take care of your mental health,” Quinn counsels in a straightforward but insightful manner.
