5 Exercises That Will Help Your Mental Health

During these confusing times, it is extremely important that you keep yourself healthy—both mentally and physically. If you find that your mental and your physical health are suffering, here are five exercises that you can do to improve your body and your mind.

Swimming

If you are lucky enough to belong to a pool or have a pool at your home, swimming is a great way to get exercise. In fact, regular swimming is known to be effective in keeping anxiety and depression at bay and can even help you get better sleep. Unfortunately, some public pools are closed or have strict hours due to COVID, so swimming may not be an option for everyone. However, if you have been considering getting a pool, now is the perfect time. Research pool cost and if feasible, build a pool in your yard that you can use whenever you want.

Running or Walking

Running (or walking) is a simple activity that most everyone can do and does not require any special gear or skill level. Make a point of taking a daily jog or stroll with a friend or your pet around the neighborhood. If you are a runner, do some of your runs outside to soak up some sun and get some fresh air while you work on your speed and endurance. Just the simple act of getting outside and removing yourself from your home or work environment can do wonders for your mental health. Allow yourself to catch a breath of fresh air at least once a day, and be sure to enjoy some sunlight as well. Sunlight is known to boost the levels of serotonin in your brain, which can in turn boost your mood and help you to feel more calm and focused.

Yoga

Yoga is another type of exercise that is great for mental health. Not only does it help with your balance and flexibility, but it also can be quite calming and allow you to truly relax and forget your troubles. There are all kinds of yoga to try—some meant for calming and some that are quite intense—so even if you are not the most athletic or experienced, you will have no trouble finding a class that is perfect for you. Yoga can also reduce inflammation in your body and lower your blood pressure, so it truly has myriad health benefits.

Gym Classes

If you are the type of person who excels in a group setting, try some fun classes at your local gym to improve your mental health. Workout alongside peers who will encourage you and oftentimes, be struggling right beside you. If you are the competitive type, try Crossfit-type classes where there is some friendly competition involved. If you prefer not to compete, spinning or Zumba classes are the perfect solution. Bike or dance your way to a healthy mind and body and socialize with like-minded friends at the same time. It may be tough to take classes in a local gym during the pandemic, but many gyms and fitness companies are streaming their classes or have them available to download, so go online and see what you can find!

HIIT Training

Nothing boosts endorphins quite like High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). This training is designed to max you out, requiring maximum efforts with very little rest time between them. Even if you cannot get through a full training session, the goal is to tax yourself so that you cannot think of anything except for the work you are doing, which helps you to forget about any struggles or problems in your daily life. HIIT should not be done every day, but one or two classes a week is a great way to break up a mundane workout routine.

Allowing yourself to become sedentary during COVID can adversely affect your health. Use these simple tips to keep yourself in tip-top shape.