Exercise pumps happiness into the brain!
If you feel like your life is like a treadmill and nobody really cares, you need to do something. Get yourself back on the right track with physical movement (exercise), even if you don’t want to.
Scientists say feeling bad is linked to low levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Low levels of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin contribute to feelings of sadness, loss of interest in normal activities, tiredness, anxiety, and difficulty thinking.One way antidepressants work is by increasing the levels of these brain chemicals. But exercise does the same thing. It works your heart and releases feel-better chemicals in the brain, and can normalize their levels.
Some depressed feelings could be caused by reduced blood circulation in the brain. Exercise can improve that circulation as well. Working out, whether on exercise equipment, walking, or doing yard work, also decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
In another discovery, scientists have found that exercise not only works against stress at the brain level, but in the muscles as well.
In addition to biological effects, exercise has positive emotional and social effects.
* It helps you get the mental tools you need to cope with life and gain confidence.
* Focusing on exercise gets you away from negative thoughts and worries.
* Physical activity may bring you more social interaction. Just exchanging a smile while you walk in the neighborhood can help your mood.
* You will cope in a healthy way. It’s something positive you can do to manage anxiety or depression.
Even short one-time bouts of exercise will elevate your mood for a time.
Some of us here at Torrid would like to recommend our favorite “get up and move” apps:
Couch To 5K– Are you a couch potato, want to start jogging/running? Maybe even set a goal for a 5k. This app will get you there a little at a time.
Fitness Pal– Helps you track your calories and exercise.
Endmondo– Multipurpose app to get you moving and keeping track of your fitness.
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