Being an adult in this world is stressful enough. “My family needs me”, “I need to make more money”, “My partner is irritating me” are just a few complaints you can hear from any human adult that walks this earth in the modern world. According to statistics, 80% of U.S workers say they experience stress on their job. At times it can be very overwhelming to exist and feel as if you can never catch a break. But have you tried working out?
Exercise is not just about aerobic capacity and muscle size. Sure, exercise can improve your physical health and your physique, trim your waistline, improve your sex life, and even add years to your life. But that’s not what motivates most people to stay active. Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, and ADHD. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood. And you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic to reap the benefits. Did you know, walking is the most popular exercise in the U.S., with 30% of Americans participating?
Here are a few ways that exercising can improve your daily life:
Reduces Depression Studies show that exercise can treat mild to moderate depression as effectively as antidepressant medication—but without the side-effects, of course.
Reduces Anxiety Exercise is a natural and effective anti-anxiety treatment. It relieves tension and stress, boosts physical and mental energy, and enhances well-being through the release of endorphins.
Reduces Stress As well as releasing endorphins in the brain, physical activity helps to relax the muscles and relieve tension in the body. Since the body and mind are so closely linked, when your body feels better so, too, will your mind.
Holistic medicine for ADHD Physical activity immediately boosts the brain’s dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels—all of which affect focus and attention. In this way, exercise works in much the same way as ADHD medications such as Ritalin and Adderall.
PTSD & Trauma Evidence suggests that by really focusing on your body and how it feels as you exercise, you can actually help your nervous system become “unstuck” and begin to move out of the immobilization stress response that characterizes PTSD or trauma.
If you have questions about exercising or you're interested in getting more information, find a local trainer near you and begin your fitness journey!