The Exercise-Brain Connection: Mental Health and Mood

Get your sweat on, and you’ll also get a mental health boost. Working out can ease depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. In fact, research shows that exercise is as effective as antidepressants for some people. And the positive effect of working out can last for hours or even days after a workout.

On the other hand, a lifestyle that lacks exercise can be harmful to your mind. A brand new study shows that COVID sedentarism was highly detrimental to mental health.

How does exercise improve mental health?

• Exercise triggers the release of chemicals in the brain—serotonin, norepinephrine, endorphins, dopamine—that dull pain, lighten mood and relieve stress. Endorphins are often called “feel good” chemicals because they act like morphine in the brain, producing feelings of euphoria. Exercise boosts energy levels and reduces fatigue. And exercise helps you sleep better at night so you’ll be more alert and energetic during the day.
• Exercise increases the heart rate and causes the brain to work faster. This results in more oxygen being sent to the brain. It helps improve concentration, mental alertness and mood by releasing endorphins — chemicals that trigger a positive feeling in the body — which helps reduce stress.
• How much do you need to work out to get a mental health boost? It doesn’t take much! Just 30 minutes of walking five days a week can lift your spirits and help fight depression. Even if you’re not very active now or have been inactive for a while, it’s never too late to start! You don’t have to run marathons or join an expensive gym to benefit from exercise.
• What matters most is doing something you like enough to keep doing on a regular basis. Some people prefer to exercise alone while others enjoy being part of a group or class. Whether practicing yoga alone in your living room or taking an aqua-aerobics class at a local fitness center, find an activity that you look forward to doing each week.