Independent medical expert answers
on psychiatry and psychology

Benefits of Exercise - Healthy Life Style Features

Written by: Martin Winkler
First version: 22 Jul 2008. Latest version: 07 Mar 2013.

Abstract:

Psychological health can be obtained and supported by sport and exercise.

Question:

Is there any connection between mental health and physical fitness? What are the benefits of exercise? Why is Exercise a Healthy Life Style Feature?

Answer:

Since a long time it is known that excercising and fitness activities have a therapeutical effect on a lot of mental problems and diseases. Apart from other wholesome effects, physical fitness helps to reduce stress and symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders.

Especially endurance sports, such as walking, jogging, swimming and cycling, are very effective. Regular excercise reduces the stress level and strengthens the immune system. Fitness helps to sustain certain happiness hormones (endorphines), which lowers the mental impact of psychological problems. Equally important is that you can aim higher and higher and experience the success. As well, sport activities can lead to new contacts and a deliberate distraction from the problems. So by exercising you improve your life and help your health, as you don't have to worry about your problems all the time.

Try to find out which sport activities you used to like, and start exercising again:

See also:
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