Psychological Benefits of Exercise
The physical benefits of exercise has been the main motivating factor for many people who adopt a regular physical fitness program. Physicians have long known the benefits of regular exercise and a healthy diet, although weight loss or weight management has been a major influence for people who begin a regular exercise program. Many more people, however, are directed by their own physician to become physically active or risk disease and/or possibly death. Regular physical exercise has proven beneficial to cardiovascular health by controlling diabetes, slowing the progression of osteoporosis, lowering high blood pressure, improving cholesterol levels, as well as decreasing the chances of contracting cold's and flu. While these factors alone are sufficient reasons for a life-long commitment to physical exercise, further developments have been realized in the psychological benefits of exercise. Could exercise possibly have an effect on emotional health and if so what are they? Research has shown that regular exercise provides psychological benefits, which include positive effects on memory and thinking, anxiety and depression, overall emotional well-being, creativity and imagination, and improved mental vigor.
Beyond body image, exercise effects self-esteem and self-worth in other ways. Researchers are now focusing on the biology of psychology and reporting findings that indicate there is a significant correlation between brain chemistry and many mental illnesses. Diabetes is a hereditary disease, which alone should influence those at risk to make a commitment to regular exercise. Kowalchik explains that running reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, the number-one killer of women as well as reduces the risk of stroke, the second leading killer of women (6). For example, pharmacological and neurochemical research alike indicates that patients suffering from depression show a deficit of the [neurotransmitter] norepinephrine. Amazingly, the benefits of exercise on our mental health does not end there. In recent years, however, psychiatrists and psychologists alike have seen the synergetic benefits when counseling and exercise are incorporated as a treatment program. Probably the most studied and reported benefits or effects are of those on depression, which is one of the most common psychological problems. Some researchers believe that exercise induces a "positive" stress to the body, which helps divert and distract the individuals' attention from day-to-day stressors. A recent study reported that moderate dietary 2changes improve cholesterol levels and so lower the risk for coronary artery disease when an aerobic exercise program is followed (Whole Fitness 1). A better body image serves as a catalyst for improved self-esteem and self-confidence. With these recent discoveries on the benefits of exercise to mental health and well-being, many questions arise regarding how these effects come about. " By challenging ourselves physically and mentally and pushing ourselves beyond our normal "limits" we gain the confidence to tackle other challenges in life.
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