The Benefits of Physical Activity On Mental Health

Mental HealthJanuary 8, 2018

There are numerous reasons why physical activity is beneficial for the body. Physical activity can give you a healthy heart and also improve your bones and joints. However, not many people believe that physical activity is also helpful for their mental health and well-being.

The reason for this is perhaps the fact that not much has been spoken about the benefits of physical activity on mental health. However, we are here to tell you that exercising can also be helpful for overall well-being, including the body and the mind. In this discussion, we will show you the positive effects of physical activity on your mental well-being. Furthermore, we will give you a few tips to help you make a beginning on the same.

“As with most physical activity, yoga helps boost your immune system. However, it also stretches and strengthens your body simultaneously, while also balancing your mind and spirit. It benefits the whole human.” — Jennifer Nettles

What Is Physical Activity?

Physical activity just means any activity of the body that will use our muscles and expend energy. The best thing about physical activity is the fact that there are endless possibilities. Also, there is an activity that is suitable for almost everyone. According to experts, one should have about 75 to 150 minutes of exercise every single week. You can choose to exercise intensely or moderately, but the ultimate objective must be to increase the heart rate, the breathing and a feeling of warmth within your body. You can look at different types of physical activity by classifying them into four different categories.

Daily Physical Activity

The daily physical activity for adults can include recreational or leisurely physical activities, transportation, technical activities, household chores, games, sports, planned exercise, and community activities. Activities such as walking to the bus stop, shopping, climbing stairs and any other household chores all count towards the recommended 150 -minutes exercise.

Exercise: This is a planned activity which is conducted with the sole intention of improving health or physical fitness. It includes activities such as jogging, cycling, weightlifting, etc.

Play: These are unstructured activities that are for fun or enjoyment.

Sport: These include structured or competitive activities such as soccer, squash, tennis, swimming, and classes on how to keep fit.

What is Mental Well-Being?

Experts define well-being as a positive physical, social and mental state. In this discussion, we focus on mental well-being.

A single universal definition for mental well-being does not exist. However, it includes the following factors.

The ability to function well either individually or in relationships.
Ability to deal with the challenges of life such as the challenge of making the most out of every opportunity.
The feeling of being connected to our community and the surroundings.
Having freedom and control over our lives.
Living with a sense of purpose and feeling valued.

You must understand that mental well-being does not mean being happy all the time. Also, good mental health does not mean that you will never experience negative or painful emotions, which are normal in life. However, the fact remains that regardless of your age, being physically active is beneficial; it can help you to lead a mentally healthier life and bring about an improvement to your overall well-being.

How Does Physical Activity Impact Mental Well-Being

Physical activities have immense potential to improve our mental well-being. Just a short walk of 10 minutes can increase our mental alertness and energy while bringing in a positive mood. Participating in physical activities regularly can enhance your self-esteem and reduce stress and anxiety. It can also play an active role in preventing the development of mental health issues. Moreover, it can improve the quality of life for people with mental health issues.