People have heard from tons of health experts that constant physical exercise does wonders for your health. From increasing your energy levels to losing a few pounds, the physical benefits of staying active and participating in exercises are endless. However, it is not discussed as often what such physical activity does for a person’s mental health. Though not visibly apparent, an individual’s mental health does drastically improve by exercising on a consistent basis. Someone who knows this from experience is Helen Lee Schifter. From yoga to going on walks to hiking, she makes it a point to stay active to help keep her mental health in check.
Schifter is a health and wellness expert as well as a former arbitrage trader on Wall Street. She also was once an editor at Hearst and Condé Nast and gained years of experience. She graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy as well as Amherst College and currently lives in New York City. Helen is known for starting her day by participating in some yoga exercises and even going on a morning stroll from time to time. She makes her health her number one priority and encourages others to do the same. She is very fond of hosting tea ceremonies and shares that healthy hobby with friends and family. When the pandemic unfortunately struck the United States, Helen Lee Schifter admits that her mental health was at an all time low and exercise really helped her keep her chin up. She hopes that this article will inspire others to take exercise seriously and use it as a method to battle any mental health issues one might be going through.
Mentioned below are some of the key ways exercise is beneficial to a person’s mental health:
- Sharper Memory
By exercising on a regular basis, people have the ability to develop a better sense of concentration. Exercise helps stimulate the growth of new brain cells and can help keep you focused even as you age!
- Reduces Anxiety
Physical activity releases endorphins in your body and it helps relieve stress and tension. It also takes a person’s mind away from constant overthinking and will force them to focus on how they feel in the moment.
- Improves Quality of Sleep
By engaging in exercise, people have found that it regulates their sleeping patterns. It will also assist in sleep that is uninterrupted and will help a person sleep through the night without waking up.
- Increases Levels of Self Esteem
Helen Lee Schifter thinks this point is a great one for teenagers and young adults who sometimes struggle with their self esteem. By making exercise become a part of your daily routine, it helps you feel a sense of accomplishment. Furthermore, you feel powerful by taking control of your health and wellness.
These are just a few examples of the large amounts of mental benefits from engaging in exercise. Even if someone just wanted to go for a quick walk around the neighborhood, exercise of any kind can do a lot for your body and mind. Helen Lee Schifter hopes by the examples given above, people will now feel more motivated to get out an exercise more often. Millions of people around the world suffered from mental health problems last year due to the coronavirus pandemic and exercise is one way to help get rid of any negative thoughts. We at Harcourt Health thoroughly encourage readers to go outside and engage in some form of physical activity. Not only will it help you stay in shape, but it can also help you physically and mentally for years to come.