Exercise Beneficial for Mental Health?

We often hear the saying "In a healthy body there is a healthy soul". Well, did you know that besides providing benefits for body health, it turns out that exercise can also provide benefits for mental health? Exercise helps maintain emotional health and prevent depression.

Sport is a form of physical activity carried out in a relaxed or competitive setting. Basically, exercise aims to train, improve, and maintain physical abilities by providing a relaxing effect for the person doing it. In addition to increasing endurance, the emotions gained from exercising can strengthen the mind, especially by building self-confidence and increasing motivation. Here are the benefits of exercise for mental health, including:

1. Improves mood

Exercise is beneficial for improving and enhancing an uncomfortable mood. A number of studies reveal exercise can make a person feel calmer and happier, which results in a more positive mood.

2. Increased self-confidence

By exercising, you can conquer laziness, which causes increased self-confidence. With the success of achieving sports targets, making changes in body weight and physical appearance becomes ideal, which makes someone more confident.

3. Reduce stress

With exercise, the production of the hormone cortisol (stress) will decrease. This increase in heart rate during exercise stimulates the production of the hormone norepinephrine, which acts to increase arousal and help the body deal with stressful conditions. With this, brain damage due to stress can be prevented.

4.  Improves brain function and work

Exercise can improve brain function and performance. A study found that exercise can increase the production of a chemical in the brain called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF serves to stimulate the formation of new brain cells. Aerobic exercise and muscle strength training can increase BDNF levels in the brain.

The formation of new brain cells will affect concentration and memory. Indirectly, improved brain function can affect mental health.

5. Lowers the risk of developing dementia

The benefits of exercise can reduce dementia, aka senile dementia, which often occurs in old age. A study found that exercise can reduce the risk of senile dementia and decreased cognitive function.

For that reason, exercise is not only beneficial for our physical health, but it is also very beneficial for our mental health. That way, exercise has a myriad of benefits for mental health and is scientifically proven. Friends of Hermina can also consult a mental health specialist about your problems.