7 Of The Best Exercises To Boost Your Mental Health

Forms of exercise that can improve your mental health include running, hiking, dancing, yoga, meditation, journaling, and breathing exercises.

Studies show that regular exercises can improve your mental health. Possible mental health benefits of exercise include improved self-esteem, reduced negative thoughts, and reduced symptoms of some mental health conditions.

Health professionals recommend you get about 150 minutes of exercise every week. Professional mental health treatment programs may also include daily exercise and physical fitness activities.

Here are 7 of the best exercises that boost your mental health.

1. Aerobic Exercise

Aerobic exercise is a type of exercise that increases heart rate and changes your breathing pattern. Running, brisk walking, swimming, and biking are types of aerobic exercise.

Aerobic exercise releases endorphins in your brain. Endorphins can reduce stress levels and improve your overall well-being.

2. High-Intensity Exercise Classes

High-intensity exercise classes include boxing, dancing, or calisthenics for short periods of time. High intensity exercise programs, or HIITs, have similar positive effects

Your local Ohio gym may offer high-intensity workouts every week. You can also find workouts online, which you can follow at home.

High intensity activities may not be for everyone. If you have pre existing health problems, you should talk to your doctor before starting a high-intensity exercise routine.

3. Yoga

Yoga is a form of physical and mental exercise. Many forms of yoga involve holding specific poses and concentrating deeply. Yoga can also be combined with breathing exercises to improve your focus.

Yoga can improve your flexibility, strength, and mental well-being. Studies show that doing yoga can improve symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders.

4. Breathing Exercises

Breathing exercises involve controlling your breathing manually. Various breathing exercises can change how often you breathe, how deeply you breathe, and whether you breathe through your mouth or nose.

If you have a mental illness, you may breathe heavily or shallowly during times of stress. Practicing your breathing exercises when you are struggling with your mental health can reduce stress and help you control your emotions.

5. Meditation

Meditation is a mental exercise where you focus your thoughts and try to stay calm. Some forms of meditation may minimize movement while others combine yoga or stretching with meditation.

Meditation can lower stress levels and may improve your physical health. Staying calm and reducing stress can lower your blood pressure, which can also improve your mental health.

6. Journaling

Journaling is the daily habit of writing down your thoughts and feelings. While journaling can seem simple, it can also be a helpful daily habit in the long term.

Journaling can help you understand your own mental health. It can also help you understand the potential causes of your mental health problems. If you can narrow down potential stressors in your life, you can plan your next steps.

7. Strength Training

Strength training includes lifting weights or doing calisthenics. Strength training is also a popular form of physical exercise. It can increase your self-confidence, self-worth, and overall quality of life.

Strength training can give you a goal that you can work towards every day, and also connect you with a community. This can help you avoid the reduced productivity and stress associated with some mental health issues.

If you and a loved one need to improve your mental well-being, you can also consider professional treatment, which incorporates mental and physical exercise programs into your treatment plan. To learn how this works, please contact us today.