Mental Health Benefits of An Active Lifestyle
How improving physical health improves mental health
Everyone knows the physical health benefits of living an active lifestyle. But the body of evidence linking improved mental health to exercise is bigger than ever before.
By living an active lifestyle, whether it’s going to the gym or simply going for a walk, you can experience a wide variety of benefits to your mood and mental health. If you find yourself interested in experiencing these benefits, but need a little pain relief to get active again, check out the gear from Copper Compression. We are experts in helping people overcome chronic conditions like arthritis, and provide speedy injury recovery, so anyone can get the benefits of an active lifestyle.
Enhance Your Mood
According to the American Psychological Association, all it takes is 5 minutes of activity to start experiencing mood-enhancing effects. If you’ve had a rough day at work, school, or just need to clear your mind, exercising is a great way to do just that. This is likely due to all the positive endorphins and chemicals the brain produces while exercising. It doesn’t have to be intense, even moderate exercise will get your mood boosted in minutes. Light exercise may take a little longer but still offers the same benefits to your mood. To make these benefits long-term, find an activity you enjoy doing so you are more motivated to fit it into your daily routine! And remember, you can start feeling better in just 5 minutes, so even people with the busiest of schedules can experience a boosted mood. Plus, an improved mood and clearer mind might be just what you need to tackle that busy schedule!
Reduce Depression
James Blumenthal, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Duke University explains “There's good epidemiological data to suggest that active people are less depressed than inactive people. And people who were active and stopped tend to be more depressed than those who maintain or initiate an exercise program.” Additional studies reinforce the idea that these benefits are long term. Improving physical health is often recommended to reduce things like cholesterol or blood pressure. However, it is increasingly being recommended as a way to reduce symptoms and severity of depression.
Relieve Stress
Anxiety and stress can come from many sources, but exercise and physical activity are excellent tools to relieve stress and anxiety. Similar to meditation, as you exercise, your mind is taken away from stressful thoughts and focuses on activity. It also increases the production of ‘feel-good’ chemicals known as endorphins. Studies suggest that the similarity between exercise and a fight-or-flight state (increased heart rate, shortness of breath, etc.) is why exercise helps reduce anxiety; your body is more familiar with that state.
What If Chronic Conditions Make It Hard To Stay Active?
Luckily the pain management specialists from Copper Compression have designed gear specifically tailored to provide effective relief from chronic conditions like arthritis, carpal tunnel, fallen arches, and so much more. Get the relief you need to stay active, and if you need advice on what gear best suits your needs, don’t hesitate to contact the support team at Copper Compression.
My Injury Has Me Less Active Than I Would Like, Is There Anything To Help?
