a bad mood is the VERY REASON to exercise
May 10, 2010
new research confirms the mental health benefits of daily exercise (duh)
“Exercise appears to affect, like an antidepressant, particular neurotransmitter systems in the brain, and it helps patients with depression re-establish positive behaviors. For patients with anxiety disorders, exercise reduces their fears of fear and related bodily sensations such as a racing heart and rapid breathing.”
for people who are cleared to exercise by their health-care providers, research suggests that “the public health dose… is 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity” that breaks down to about 30 minutes a day or 45 minutes-1 hour on 4 days a week.
we’re always trying to make exercise fit into our day – how can you make it a necessary part of your day? would you consider going work without brushing your teeth, getting makeupped or hair-do’d? how much time do you spend watching tv or checking blogs all day? how do you spend your lunch breaks? how can you fit a 45 minute walk into your lunch hour? can you ask your supervisor for a longer lunch so that you can both exercise?
you should try to relish in your daily dose of exercise as a mood-booster and a way to feel better naturally.
consider the IMMEDIATE benefits “After just 25 minutes, your mood improves, you are less stressed, you have more energy — and you’ll be motivated to exercise again tomorrow. A bad mood is no longer a barrier to exercise; it is the very reason to exercise.”
even if you can’t get to your prescribed 30 minutes of happycise, this article demonstrated that just 5 minutes a day of “green exercising” “in a park, working in a backyard garden, on a nature trail, or other green space will benefit mental health.” They stressed that nature was important for the boost of self esteem – and that even just as few as 5 minutes can elevate your mood.
add another great reason to exercise outside: soaking up the vitamin D, and you really have no excuse.
now go outside for a walk please
