Mental Benefits of Exercise

Aerobic Exercise

Spending at least 30 minutes doing any kind of aerobic exercise a day stimulates the production of endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that enhance mood and are a natural painkiller. It also reduces levels of the body's stress hormones.

Mental Clarity

Exercise is just as beneficial for the mental state as it is physically. Not only will you lose weight and gain muscle, but exercising will increase your self-confidence and self-esteem. An overload of stress will start to affect the body physically by tensing up the muscles and hurting the immune system, so it is important to stretch regularly and get the heart rate up to avoid the physical toll that comes with stress.

Healthy Heart and Healthy Mind

In the United States, 7 out of every 10 adults say that they experience stress daily. Endorphins play a huge role in maintaining proper mental fitness and keeping a clear head. Relaxing the body through meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises will lower the targeted stress response and calm down the mind and strengthen the heart.

Videos

Backed by Science

In this TEDtalk, Wendy Suzuki explains the science behind why exercise is so crucial not only for the physical body but also for the brain.

What Happens Inside Your Body When You Exercise?

This video by the British Heart Foundation explains what happens in our bodies when we exercise. It also provides information on the health benefits of exercise including stress relief.

Stretch the Stress Away!

This video is a great example to follow in order to reduce stress just by doing some simple stretches. Just by doing this series of stretches a couple of times a week or even once a day after waking up or before going to bed, you will be able to release endorphins and eliminate any stress build-up throughout the day.

Frequently Asked Questions: MENTAL BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

How can stress cause so many diseases?

According to the American Institute of Stress, many of these effects are due to increased sympathetic nervous system activity and an outpouring of adrenaline, cortisol, and other stress-related hormones.

What can I do to relieve stress?

Stress is different for each of us, and no stress reduction strategy is guaranteed to be the silver bullet for our stress. Each person should try various strategies in order to find what works for them. Look at our Types of Exercises section for more details on stress-relieving activities.

I feel overwhelmed by stress, what should I do?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, you should seek help immediately if you have suicidal thoughts, are overwhelmed, feel you cannot cope, or are using drugs or alcohol more frequently due to stress. Your doctor may be able to provide a recommendation. You can find resources to help you find a mental health provider by visiting www.nimh.nih.gov/findhelp.

The effect exercise has on stress reduction

Mental Benefits of Exercise

Aerobic Exercise

Mental Clarity

Healthy Heart and Healthy Mind

Videos

Backed by Science

What Happens Inside Your Body When You Exercise?

Stretch the Stress Away!

Frequently Asked Questions: MENTAL BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

Additional Information

For More Information on Exercise and Stress Relief

Mental Benefits of Exercise

Aerobic Exercise

Mental Clarity

Healthy Heart and Healthy Mind

Videos

Backed by Science

What Happens Inside Your Body When You Exercise?

Stretch the Stress Away!

Frequently Asked Questions: MENTAL BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

Additional Information

For More Information on Exercise and Stress Relief

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