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March 15, 2024

Workouts To Improve Your Mental Health

Posted In: Fitness & Wellness

Whether the patient is suffering from depression or anxiety or has signs of dementia, healthcare professionals in Totowa, NJ, often recommend exercise as an adjunct treatment for mental health. You don’t have to wait for severe problems if you feel a little down or have major issues that are stressing you, you can exercise without a prescription. As long as you’re physically able and healthy, working out has no negative side effects like many medications. It only offers positive results when you do it correctly, using the proper form, and following all the guidelines for safety.

The best type of exercise is one that you can do anytime and anyplace.

What’s the best type of exercise that almost everyone can do? It’s walking. To reap the most benefit, it should be brisk. Scientists have studied the benefits of walking. All studies found that increasing walking time can provide physical and mental health benefits. One study’s conclusion found that increasing walking by just a half hour a day helped reduce anxiety and depression. It’s even better if you walk in nature or walk barefoot on the grass. Both increase the calming effects of walking. While walking is good, running is even better.

Get more vigorous with HIIT—high intensity interval training.

Walking is excellent for mental health issues, but even better is a HIIT workout. HIIT isn’t a specific exercise but a way of doing any exercise. It’s all about modifying your intensity. The workout alternates between high-intensity and a recovery pace. You may do 10 seconds to a few minutes of maximum intensity and then an equal amount of time or more at a recovery pace. It torches calories, burns off stress hormones, and boosts hormones that make you feel good.

Pumping iron or doing bodyweight exercises can help your mental health.

Several studies focused on post-stroke victims, early senility, and anxiety or depression. Some of them used strength-building as the exercise style. One study found individuals had improved self-confidence and a better self-image after weeks of strength training. Strength training also helped slow the decline of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Strength training, such as weightlifting or bodyweight exercises, helped improve mental health.

  • You can combine HIIT with strength-building workouts to get the ultimate time-saving workout that will boost your mood fast. It not only burns off stress hormones, but it also boosts endocannabinoids that are produced by the body, passes through the blood-brain barrier, and acts like cannabis.
  • Grounding, sometimes called earthing, helps relieve depression, fatigue, stress, and depression. Walk barefoot on the ground and not on concrete or asphalt.
  • Dancing is another good remedy for depression and anxiety. The music should be fast, and the words should be upbeat. Sad songs about a lost love won’t do, but a fast song about conquering the world will.
  • Mild exercises like swimming, yoga, or tai chi are gentle and help improve your mood. While exercise can help deal with mild issues, always seek the help of a mental healthcare specialist if your issues are more severe.

For more information, contact us today at Prime Fitness Studio