How Physical Activity can Make You Feel Better
Modern life can get pretty stressful. With most of our time each dame being spent on work, commutes, and other taxing activities, most of us are left extremely tired by the end of the day. This long-term stress can lead to both physical and mental exhaustion and while it might be tempting to just rest it all off, it’s actually a much better idea to get physically active.
Physical activity has been scientifically proven to have an incredibly good impact on your mental well-being, even when you are tired. In fact, it’s much better to get physically active than stay at home and lie on the couch all day. Here are some of the ways in which this happens.
It helps reduce stress
While it may feel like working out is the last thing you want to do after a hard day at work, we’re here to tell you that that’s exactly what you should be doing. Grab a set of dumbbells and hit the gym, or go for something more relaxing and play some golf – but only if you’re using one of the best golf grips (you’ll want to avoid injuries). Whatever exercise you choose to perform – it doesn’t matter as long as you’re physically exercising.
One of the first things you’ll notice is that you feel less stressed-out. Working out has been found to reduce the amount of cortisol in the brain, which actually helps you feel more relaxed. In the short term, you’ll immediately feel better after a workout, but it’s the long-term results that will substantially improve your well-being. Make sure you exercise regularly and you’ll soon see a noticeable decrease in your overall stress levels.
It gives you a shot of dopamine
Working out does a lot more to your hormones than just remove cortisol. One of the most notable aspects of it is the increase in dopamine – AKA the happy hormone. Through natural processes, our bodies constantly lose dopamine, and so we aim to seek it at all times. While there are countless ways to do it, you’ll find few that come with as many benefits as a good workout.
It gives you a confidence boost
Regular exercise has this interesting effect in that it changes the way your body looks. Being more physically fit, able to do more with your body, and just overall looking better will definitely give you a confidence boost. Many people suffer from low self-esteem due to the way they look – getting in shape is the best way to remedy that.
It makes you more energetic
There are times when you will be really tired, to the point that working out is the last thing you want to do. Still, even in those instances, it really pays to pull through, as you’ll end up feeling much more energized than usual after a healthy workout – even if you were dead tired beforehand. It’s the best way to be productive after a tough day, and nothing lifts your spirits better than knowing that you went the extra mile and did more of the things that really matter.
It helps you deal with anxiety
Anxiety is an issue that’s become worryingly common in today’s society. As it turns out, exercising is one of the most surefire ways to combat it. We’ve mentioned the dopamine shots working out gives you – that’s one of the reasons why working out is so great for anxiety. Whenever you’re feeling anxious, try a solid workout – you’re bound to feel better right away, and if you keep at it at a regular pace, you might see a lot of your symptoms becoming less pronounced.
It lets you sleep better
Finally, if you’re suffering from insomnia, a good workout might be just what you need. If you work out regularly, it will be much easier for you to fall asleep, and the sleep you do get will be of much higher quality than it would be otherwise. And better sleep makes your entire day better which, in the long run, will result in a much healthier, much happier you.
