When you’re in a bad mood or when you’re stressed out, you can try to start working out regularly. Working out can help you improve your mood for the better. Not only that but working out is also part of a healthy lifestyle. With regular workouts, you can make your body fitter, sleep better, increase self-confidence, maintain blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and prevent various other diseases.
What is the Link Between Working out and a Better Mood?
When we workout, our body will release endorphins. This hormone is produced by the pituitary gland as well as the central nervous system which functions to reduce the perception of pain and trigger positive feelings.
Active endorphins are known to have the same effect as morphine. Thus, the euphoria that comes after workout will make someone feel energized, excited, and happier. In addition, exercise can also release the hormone serotonin. Just like endorphins, the hormone serotonin also plays a role in managing mood. The activation of these two hormones after you finish a workout can help to improve mood and relieve anxiety and stress.
Routine workout is even referred to as natural therapy for people who have mental problems, such as anxiety disorders, PTSD, and depression. This is evidenced by various studies which state that regular exercise for 30 minutes a day can improve the mood of people with depression.
Thus why, for those of you who are confused, stressed, or are trying to control the symptoms of mental disorders, you should start working out regularly. Besides making you physically healthy, working out can also be the ultimate way for you to boost your mood.
What are the Types of Exercise That Can Improve Your Mood?
You can do any physical activity that can improve your mood. However, certain types of exercise can promote mental health and also contribute to reducing anxiety and increasing feelings of happiness. Here’s a sport you can do.
- Aerobic
Aerobics is the right combination of exercise to release endorphins and improve mood.
Types of aerobic exercise that you can do include jogging, swimming, cycling, or brisk walking. In addition, physical activities such as gardening or dancing can also reduce depression and anxiety.
Mood enhancement can be done through group sports. Interacting with the social environment while exercising has an optimal mood improvement effect. If you want a different atmosphere, try involving your friends to play soccer, basketball, or table tennis. Thus you are more excited to exercise.
- Yoga
This type of sport is also believed to improve mood, as well as improve mental health. Unlike aerobics, yoga focuses more on movement to release tension and make you more relaxed by stretching the muscles. Doing yoga regularly can build energy and reduce depression, and anxiety, especially post-traumatic stress.
- Tai chi
This traditional exercise from China is also very beneficial for people with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Tai chi can also boost the immune system and endorphins that trigger a better mood. The focus of Tai chi lies in breathing techniques and its movements that involve the whole body. This exercise is also considered a self-healing exercise and helps to release energy, leaving you more energized afterward. Research states that this exercise can reduce depression, anxiety, and stress.
How to Motivate Yourself to Workout Regularly?
Keeping yourself motivated to workout is tricky to do. You may feel in high spirits sometimes, and other times you feel low energy to even move your body. To ensure you can keep yourself motivated all the time, you can do the following below!
- Set goals and make a plan
To maintain sports motivation, set goals according to your priorities and abilities. Then make a plan to support that goal. For example, if you want to lose weight, you could make a plan to exercise 3 times a week, walk 20 minutes every day, or another plan that fits your busy schedule.
- Wear workout gear even if you are lazy
Feeling lazy to start? You can try to motivate yourself by donning your workout gear first. By wearing this, you can slowly prepare yourself and thus you will be motivated to start your workout.
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- Make it a habit
Make exercise a daily routine on a schedule, and at the same time every day. For example, exercising every morning before going to work, or in the evening after coming home from work.
- Listen to music or use sports apps
Listening to music or your favorite song can motivate you to move and exercise. A study found that listening to music can increase the duration and endurance when exercising. In addition, you can also record your performance while exercising with sports applications.
