7 Ways Exercise Improves Mental Health

{Rancho Cucamonga, California}

Not a day goes by where I don’t ask myself the following question: Should I, or shouldn’t I go to the gym today?

You don’t have to be lectured by a doctor to know that exercise is good for you.  We all recognize that exercise provides positive benefits on our overall health and mood, yet do we religiously incorporate physical activity into our regular routines?  Trust me, even as a physician who preaches the importance of incorporating non-medication alternatives such as exercise into wellness plans, I empathize with the struggle to prioritize physical activity in our busy schedules.  Yet, if you’re interested in even more specific ways that exercise can enhance your mental health, I compiled a list of information that I often provide to my patients:

1.  Target your mood.  Exercise has been shown to be just as effective as antidepressants for the treatment of depression.  A study led by Dr. James Blumenthal found that an exercise program provided equal benefits in mood as regular doses of Zoloft (a commonly prescribed antidepressant).  Also, a Cochrane review (which is a systematic review of all high quality research relevant to a specific research question) found that exercise is associated with a greater reduction in depression symptoms compared with no treatment.

2.  Alleviate anxiety.  I can attest to this, for my ability to manage stress (especially when in clinic) declines after missing several workouts, though my coworkers say I mask my anxiety fairly well (which is hard for me to believe!).  Aerobic exercise has been shown to be an effective treatment for several anxiety disorders.  One study found that exercising at 70-90% of maximum heart rate for 20 minutes 3 times a week has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety sensitivity.

3.  Boost concentration.  Exercise elevates the brain’s levels of dopamine and norephinephrine, which are important chemicals involved with focus, attention, and our executive functions (planning, analyzing, prioritizing, organizing, initiating, and completing tasks/activities).  Some people with ADHD are able to manage their symptoms with exercise alone, though many find the ideal treatment regimen includes medication plus exercise.  For more helpful info, I often refer my patients to ADDitudeMag.COM.

4.  Sleep better.  Though the most common method utilized to treat insomnia is via pharmaceuticals, I am always on the lookout for ways to improve sleep without the risks of dependency and tolerance that many sleep aids have.  Regular, physical exercise raises core body temperature, which can benefit the initiation and maintenance of sleep.    

5.  Improve heart health.  People living with mental illness tend to have higher risks of cardiovascular disease.  Over 50% of adults with serious mental illness are obese.  Among individuals who are overweight, losing 5% of body weight can improve risk significantly and one way to accomplish this is through lifestyle modifications such as increased exercise.

6.  Connect with others.  Social connectivity has been found to be one of the factors that contributes to happiness and well-being.  Whether you have a walking buddy, join an exercise class, or join a meet-up group for hiking, etc, physical activity may provide an opportunity to socialize and engage with others.

7.  Sharpen your memory.  Studies on exercise and prevention of dementia were mostly limited to studies performed on rats, but I did find one promising study which found that older adults involved in a 6-month aerobic training program positively impacted cognitive functioning.

I often tell my patients that they don’t have to be marathon runners to experience the benefits of exercise.  The most important aspect to keep in mind when choosing your preferred form of exercise is sustainability — your chosen form of exercise should be something congruent with your interests, goals, and can be easily incorporated into your routine, whether it’s walking, running, playing basketball, yoga, dancing, etc.

Thought of the Day:  Which type of exercise have you found to improve your mental health?

Photo by Marlon Santos