You’ve probably heard it before: exercise is good for your health. But what if I told you it’s not just about looking like a superhero? (Yes, even if we secretly all want to!) Exercise is equally about lifting your mood as it is about lifting weights. Whether you’re into yoga, running, or adult gymnastics (and yes, I just started this sport!), moving your body helps move your mind to a better place. Let’s dive into how breaking a sweat can lead to helping with breaking free from stress, anxiety, and low mood.

Boosting Your Brain’s Happy Chemicals

We all know about endorphins, right? They’re like your brain’s way of sending you a high-five for moving. You get a flood of these feel-good chemicals after a good workout. Research shows that exercise can significantly increase serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine—fancy terms for the stuff that makes you feel good and like you’ve got your life together.

The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry highlighted, regular physical activity has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression by increasing levels of serotonin, the brain’s natural mood stabilizer. “Exercise may improve mental health by helping the brain cope better with stress, which is why regular physical activity is so often prescribed for those battling depression or anxiety” (Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2021).

Break-Up With Stress: The Cardio Way

When you’re working out, your body is actually practicing handling stress. Your heart beats faster, your breathing increases, and your body starts to think, “Whoa, what’s happening here?” But then it adjusts. So, when real-life stress hits (like when you forget your phone charger and have 2% battery), your body is better prepared to handle it without completely freaking out.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School suggest that regular aerobic exercise can help tame your body’s stress response by reducing levels of stress hormones like cortisol (Harvard Health Publishing, 2020). So next time your boss starts sending you “urgent” emails on a Friday at 4 p.m., maybe try doing some jumping jacks or going up and down the stairs.
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Basically, running from your problems might not be the answer, but running on a treadmill? That just might help.

More Sleep Less Contemplating

Ever lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, contemplating every decision you’ve made since age 10? Yep, we’ve all been there. The good news? Moving your body can help.

​Regular physical activity improves sleep quality and reduces the time it takes to fall asleep. Exercise helps your body burn off extra energy (and let’s be honest, sometimes extra frustration), making it easier to lay your head on the pillow without a mind full of worries. “People who exercise regularly sleep better and feel less sleepy during the day. Exercise also improves sleep quality, helping people stay in deep, restorative sleep” (Sleep Foundation, 2017).

Building Confidence

Ever notice how a good workout makes you feel like you can take on the world (or at least, your inbox)? There’s a reason for that. Exercise not only improves your physical strength but also builds mental strength. There’s a certain sense of accomplishment in doing something that makes you want to high-five yourself.

I recently started adult gymnastics (well one class down) and just in the one class I noticed improvements in my confidence. My skills improved, I became braver in trying the different heights of the balance beams and bars. At my age, 23 +20 (43 for those that hate math), I felt proud of myself for trying something new and something that would be a challenge while having fun and moving my body at the same time.

How Moving Your Body Looks For You

Ok, so not everyone wants to go and run a marathon. Moving your body can be just that, move your body. Moving your body is individual and finding what helps you to do that is what is important. For me I know that group environments help to get me to show up.

I recently joined adult gymnastics through CAPTivate and started a Learn to Lift class through Built Strong Evolution which have been great motivators! For some it will be walking, joining a sport, running, or entering a 5km race. Or starting with a 2km walk to fundraise such as the Race the River family fun through KidSport Okotoks that is happening today- which we are excited to volunteer at today 🙂

If you are struggling to figure out what motivates you and how to get motivated book an appointment with one of our therapists to help you.