How Exercise Affects The Brain

Regular exercise and physical activities are great for our bodies, as they can increase endurance, lower the resting heart rate, burn calories, turn fat into muscle, and decrease the risk of many diseases such as diabetes. But there are also plenty of mental and psychological benefits to an exercise routine including improvements to self-esteem, memory, and quality of sleep.

Discover the many ways in which regular exercise can improve cognitive function and everyday life. As little as ten minutes of exercise a day just might make the difference.

Exercise Affects Self-Esteem

The effects of working out and exercising have proven to increase self-esteem in many ways. When one is physically active, one of the short-term benefits is the exercise enhances their mood and gives more of a positive outlook, which temporarily increases their self-esteem.

The long-term benefits of regular exercise are it makes the individual feel good about their abilities and physique they can achieve through hard work and dedication, which in turn increases their self-esteem. There are many ways to successfully use exercise to enhance self-esteem such as exercising with a friend, creating realistic goals, tracking progress, and rewarding oneself for their accomplishments.

Next, learn what physical activity can do to stress and anxiety.

Physical Activity Reduces Stress & Anxiety

Everyone gets stressed from time to time, but it has been reported an average of seven out of ten adults in the United States experience stress or anxiety daily, and most of those who experience stress and anxiety say it interferes with their lives. Although there are many effective methods for managing stress and anxiety, getting regular exercise is considered the best.

Exercise and physical activity release endorphins, which are hormones in the brain and nervous system responsible for relieving feelings stress and anxiety, and increasing feelings of pleasure, euphoria, and pain relief. Low levels of endorphins are associated with the opposing effects such as stress, anxiety, physical and emotional pain, and addiction.

Now that you know that exercise can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, keep reading to learn what it can do for memory.