The Straits Times recently reported on the mental health benefits of exercise. Not only does exercise improve overall physical health, it can have a dramatic, beneficial impact on mental health as well. Find out what Singapore citizens can gain by increasing their activity level and participating in regular exercise programmes.
The Physical Benefits of Exercise
When human beings run, the exercise pumps blood and oxygen more effectively throughout the body. Muscles, tendons, ligaments, and organs are better nourished and better oxygenated as a result. New muscle cells are built in response to the exercise, and fat is burned away. Waistlines shrink, and the risk of chronic diseases drops. Conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can diminish or disappear altogether with a combination of proper diet and regular exercise.
The Secret Advantages of Regular Running
However, lacing up your running shoes and setting out for a jog can have other benefits, too. These advantages are more subtle. You might notice that you’re paying attention in class or in meetings, making better grades, or being more productive at work. You might have clearer thoughts and new ideas.
At the same time, your stress levels may go down a bit. You expend your nervous energy and expel accumulated stress when you’re running, so you come home in a calmer, more peaceful frame of mind.
Mood-Enhancing Effects
Studies show that when you’re running, your body and brain release hormones known as endorphins, which give you a feeling of happiness. You may feel uplifted, lighter, and liberated after a good long run.
During your run, perhaps you have time to think about life and sort out problems, ordering your thoughts and prioritising tasks. Or perhaps you use your running time as a period of freedom from worry, when you are simply present and mindful of the world around you. Your breathing becomes regular and your body is energised in the moment, allowing you to relax more fully later on.
Studies Supporting the Brain Benefits of Exercise
Scientists have long been fascinated with the effects of exercise on the brain. Studies of various animals reveal that aerobic exercise increases brain cell activity and enhances the neural connections necessary for memory and learning. According to other studies, people who run frequently or exercise throughout their lifetime have better memories and less likelihood of dementia in their old age.
More Confidence for Life
When you run or do other regular exercise, your body feels better. You’re stronger, more fit, and more healthy; so your confidence level may also increase. Running regularly requires persistence, and if you keep at it, you may find yourself developing that same persistence and dedication in other areas of your life. Your new levels of confidence and personal strength can help you overcome depression, worry, and fear.
To learn more about the benefits of regular exercise for mental health, visit Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic. Our Singapore mental health clinic is dedicated to supporting people with a variety of issues, including anxiety, addiction, depression, and obsessive disorders. With the help of a trained psychiatrist in Singapore, you’ll discover how exercise and other therapies can help you reclaim your life and your mental well-being.
News Feed from Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic
Source: Straits Times, 5 August 2017
