Will exercise help my emotions?

Exercise promotes a positive mood. A positive mood includes feeling satisfied, feeling happy (good or great), feeling energized and a more positive outlook on life.

Few experts would argue that there are tremendous psychological benefits to exercise and fitness. In fact, exercise and mood are closely associated. During exercise, the brain releases chemicals into the blood stream to act as pain relievers. Endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin are just a few of the nearly twenty such chemicals. These chemicals have been shown to reduce feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression.

Exercise and fitness contribute greatly to feelings of confidence and self-esteem. The way you perceive yourself has a direct impact on the way the world sees you. By improving your appearance and health you improve your self-image. You see yourself in a better light and so does the world. Psychiatrists actually prescribe exercise for patients who suffer from mood swings or depression. Have you heard of the runners high? Well, you don't need to be a marathon runner to get it. Participating in physical activity will put you in your own great mood.

Studies have shown that even moderate amounts of exercise can raise your immune system function too. Exercise creates a more efficient means of supplying oxygen to the body. Since the body must have oxygen to survive, this makes perfect sense. A little time exercising means less time sick. Simply knowing that you are doing something good for your body creates an overall feeling of wellness.

Exercise will help your emotions in many ways. When you exercise, the body releases endorphins or chemicals that minimize the sensation of pain. They can increase your mood and reduce feelings of anxiety.

You will also feel better when you exercise because you are healthier, you will have more energy, and you will look better. In addition, you will be more active which will give you the opportunity to do all of the things you like to do. Exercise should also improve your sleep which will also improve the way you feel during the day.

In addition, you will lower your blood pressure, decrease your body fat, increase bone density, and overall decrease your risk of disease.

Research over the past 10-15 years has shown that participation in moderate intensity exercise and physical activity is associated with positive emotion and improved mood states. These positive effects have been found for both aerobic (i.e., walking, cycling, and jogging) and anaerobic activities (i.e., strength training).  The biggest positive effect on emotions seems to be for those people who are currently feeling low with a single bout of exercise helping to alleviate negative emotion and feeling states.  Regular exercise also seems to be an ideal activity to engage in to continue to feel good for those people who are already upbeat and psychologically healthy. Bottom line, the best and healthiest way to either get rid of the blues or maintain your current positive feeling states is to engage in some form of moderate intensity exercise or physical activity on a daily basis.     

There are many pros to exercise and helping your emotional state is just one. Exercise helps keep you healthy and strong in body, mind and spirit. Exercise allows people to sleep better which helps your mental and emotional state. When you have better sleep and enough sleep you will be more productive throughout the day and be more effective in dealing with frustration and stressful situations. It's effective for depression, anxiety and helps alter moods to positive levels. Physical activity provides biochemical changes in the brain increasing the concentration of positive neurochemicals such as endorphins and serotonin. Exercise is also positively associated with changes in brain wave activity allowing for a more calm mental and emotional state.