Why Sport and Exercising are Crucial to Your Mental Health

Mental health affects more people today than ever before. One in four people will suffer from mental health-related issues in their life, but some experience more difficulty than others. There are many reasons why we or anyone else endure this kind of pain. Everywhere we look we are exposed to different influences in society today, which is why it is crucial to manage your own mental health as well as possible.

What are the best ways to manage our own mental health, though? How can we give ourselves the best opportunity to shape our own mental state and avoid as much pain as possible? Music? Therapy? Meditation?

Each person is different and may prefer different methods of relief, but we're going to focus on sport and exercise. The benefits of playing sport and exercising are aplenty, but do you know how much they help your mental health? Here's five reasons why they are crucial to managing your own mental health.

1. Exercise improves your mood - boosts self-confidence, relieves stress, weight etc.

It has been proven that your mood improves when you exercise. Finishing a workout or tough training session gives you a sense of achievement and boosts self-confidence as your body realises it has made gains. People who exercise regularly, particularly outdoors, also suffer less from depression and anxiety.

2. You meet people by playing and training for a sport

Friends and family are the most important people in our lives and it's vital not to shut them out. It's not healthy to stay indoors alone all the time, and sport is a great way of meeting people with common interests and goals. Simple conversations and training every few days can make a huge difference to how you feel.

While battling with mental illness the last thing you want to do is surround yourself with other people - but once you start talking things get a lot easier. Meeting people through sport may improve your social life and stop you from getting to this point.

3. Exercising clears your head

Sweating and 'blowing off steam' are excellent stress relievers. Whether it is a long run or heavy gym session, you never think more clearly than when you're training hard. Your concentration levels rise and you forget about any troubles that bothered you before the session began. If you have any anger or frustration built up, this will get rid of it.

4. Exercise gives you more energy

Who would've thought that exercising actually gives you more energy? It has been shown that exercising is a natural energy booster! The body releases endorphins during exercise which can trigger a positive feeling in the body and reduce the perception of pain. It also keeps your heart and circulation healthy, and manages your weight, which all contribute to your mood!

5. It manages your sleep

Perhaps most importantly is your sleep. Sleep deprivation and deficiency can lead directly to symptoms of mental illness which is why you must get as many hours as possible each night. Exercise increases body temperature, and the post-exercise fall in temperature promotes falling asleep. It reduces stress and tires you out, and if you exercise outside and absorb natural sunlight it is even better for your sleep.

Getting enough sleep each night is one of the leading requirements of the human body and brain, and physical activity can help with this!

To sum up, sport and exercise may not be everyone's first choice in managing their mental health. However, there are undoubtedly a wide range of benefits for your mental health of keeping active and taking part in physical activity.

No matter how intense or relaxing your exercise of choice may be, you will feel better afterwards. Why not give it a try!