The 5 Best Exercises for Mental Health

To say that your mental health affects your physical health would be an understatement. Since your brain controls all of your body’s functions, it’s vital to keep it healthy, both physically and mentally, in order to maintain optimal health overall. Many people don’t consider their mental health as often as they should, but certain exercises can help boost both physical and mental health if practiced regularly. Here are the 5 best exercises for mental health to include in your weekly routine.

1. Yoga

Yoga has been shown to improve mental health by boosting mood, improving focus and decreasing stress. As a bonus, you’ll also get a great core workout with yoga. Start in child’s pose: move forward onto your hands, tuck your toes under, then roll up into a forward bend with your back as straight as possible. Hold here for five deep breaths. Then, move back into child’s pose on an exhale and repeat three more times.

2. Swimming

Swimming is one of my favorite exercises for mental health. It’s easy on your joints and uses all four limbs in an intimidating environment. Because of its low impact nature, swimming is ideal if you have injuries or are not in good physical shape (which often leads to poor mental health.) With consistent practice, swimming can relieve stress, lift depression and help you sleep better at night. Plus, it’s fun!

3. Running

There are tons of reasons why running is good for your mental health. For one, it improves cardiovascular health, so those brain-boosting blood vessels can keep working day in and day out. But perhaps more importantly, people who run regularly have lower stress levels than their sedentary counterparts. And that’s just one benefit to kick-starting your fitness routine with a jog around the block. For more benefits to starting a running program, check out these reasons why you should start running now .

4. Cycling

Cycling has many of advantages to people looking to combat depression. For one, it’s an aerobic activity that can be done outside when the weather is nice and inside when it isn’t. Additionally, cycling is an enjoyable activity that doesn’t put a lot of stress on your body like other exercise programs. If you have access to a stationary bike or ride your bike regularly in a social setting, try out these great tips from an experienced cyclist on how you can cycle your way to happiness!

5. Strength Training

Strength training tones and strengthens muscles, which in turn helps to build a stronger body and mind. By building muscle mass and enhancing strength, you’ll naturally increase your energy levels; lifting weights has also been shown to improve mental health by relieving stress and anxiety. If you’re new to strength training, aim for a light weight (or no weight) with plenty of repetitions—two or three sets of 15–20 reps per exercise is a good place to start.

The Psychological Benefits of Exercise

Help for depression and anxiety. Exercise is a scientifically proven mood booster, decreasing symptoms of both depression and anxiety. ...

Decreased stress. ...

Increased self-esteem and self-confidence. ...

Better sleep. ...

Brain boost.