11/29 - Exercise and Mental Health

Hello Trailblazers,

Exercise and Mental Health

While physical and mental health are separate topics, your brain and body work hand in hand and effect each other significantly. Depression and anxiety are being recorded at significantly increased rates globally. Those rates have also skyrocketed this year as our daily lives and routines have had to drastically change. Increased social isolation, poor eating habits, sleeping habits, increased screen time and decreased time outdoors are all correlated with recent increases in depression and anxiety. However, leading a sedentary, or inactive lifestyle is also a major factor that can increase symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Healthy lifestyles habits are easiest to maintain when begun in adolescence. This means the earlier you begin to regularly exercise, the more likely you will continue to do so consistently in your adulthood compared to adults who try to start regularly exercising later on. You also lower your chances of suffering from high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, obesity, strokes and heart attacks.

Here are some of the benefits of exercising:

· Increased energy

· Manage stress

· Boosts self-image and confidence

· Increase enthusiasm and optimism

· High grades are correlated with students who regularly exercise

· Improved sleep

· Weight reduction

Ideas for getting physical activity

· Brisk walks (with a dog, friend, or family)

· Jogging/Running

· Dancing (TikTok dances count!)

· Bike Riding

· Swimming

· Hiking

· Soccer

· Gardening