People’s interest in physical activity is growing all the time. This is due to the fact that regular physical activity plays an important role in improving physical fitness, mental well-being and health and vitality in general.
Researchers from the USA, Canada, Australia, Australia, England and Greece are constantly adding new evidence to support the link between exercise and mental health. Different studies all converge on the conclusion that physical exercise has a positive effect on human psychology, to the extent that it can help depression sufferers as much as antidepressant medication.
But how does physical exercise affect the brain in such a way as to bring about the very positive effects on mental mood?
Although the mechanisms of these beneficial effects are not yet established, there is some evidence in this direction:
1. The concentration of serotonin in the brain is increased by physical exercise. Serotonin, in turn, has an active effect on mental alertness, is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses and, finally, contributes effectively to mood control.
2. Endorphin production increases after intense exercise. Endorphins are peptides produced in the brain and have a painkilling effect. They act on the psyche and can induce euphoria.
However, there is no evidence to show that one form of exercise is better than another. The essential thing is that exercise should be done in a systematic way.
All types of exercise (running, walking, aerobic exercise, swimming, weights) are equally effective in reducing anxiety and depression when performed at an intensity and duration commensurate with the physical strength of the individual exerciser.
For someone who has been inactive for a long period of time, it is important to begin exercise gradually. Initially, leisurely walking for 5 to 10 minutes each day is recommended. After a few days, he or she may walk for 15 to 45 minutes or perform moderate intensity walking at least 3 to 4 times a week. With methodology and under the proper guidance of academically experienced fitness instructors, improved mood will eventually be just one of the multiple benefits of exercise.
