How Exercise Benefits Your Mind and Body
Exercise not only improves physical health but also has significant mental health benefits. According to Mayo Clinic, physical activity triggers the release of feel-good hormones in the brain, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of calm. A 2023 pilot study also revealed that structured physical exercise may alleviate depressive symptoms in individuals with bipolar disorder.
Additionally, regular exercise can boost energy levels and improve sleep quality, as long as you avoid intense workouts close to bedtime. But what if you’re not a natural exerciser? The good news is that small, intentional actions can help you make exercise a habit without feeling overwhelmed.
1. Engage in Physical Activity in Small Doses
For those with mood disorders, like bipolar, overcoming inertia can feel insurmountable. Even simple tasks, such as getting out of bed or taking a shower, may require great effort.
To start small:
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Walk to nearby destinations rather than driving.
- Use commercial breaks during TV time to stretch or complete a household chore.
These small efforts add up and can lead to lasting change.
2. Visualize Yourself in Action
Visualization can help you overcome mental barriers to exercise. Picture yourself engaging in a physical activity you enjoy, imagining every detail:
- The sensation of wind on your face.
- The sense of accomplishment afterward.
This exercise helps shift your mindset toward physical activity without guilt for not taking immediate action. Visualization is part of the journey.
3. Track Your Steps — Daily
Wearable fitness trackers or smartphone apps make it easy to monitor your steps. Alternatively, a simple logbook can help you document your daily physical activity. Research shows that step tracking, even with a hidden pedometer, motivates people to move more consistently.
Recording your progress also provides a sense of achievement and encourages accountability.
4. Look for Any and All Opportunities for Movement
Incorporate small actions into your daily routine:
- Walk to a coworker’s desk instead of emailing.
- Park further from the store entrance to increase walking distance.
- Opt for standing desks or walk during phone calls.
Write down your ideas for movement, keep the list visible, and aim to cross off as many activities as possible each day.
5. Walk for a Worthy Cause
Sometimes helping others can inspire us to help ourselves. Participating in charity walks, such as Moving Day – A Movement for Change, is a meaningful way to increase your physical activity while raising awareness and funds for Parkinson’s disease.
Moving Day, organized by the Parkinson’s Foundation, takes place across the country and brings people together to promote physical activity and fight against Parkinson’s. This impactful event is designed to highlight the importance of movement in improving quality of life while raising funds to support the foundation’s programs and services.
Find a Moving Day event near you and join thousands of participants walking for a common cause. Helping others can motivate you to stay active and engaged in your own health.
RELATED: The Healing Power of Exercise in Bipolar Disorder
With these small, achievable steps, even non-exercisers can build habits that improve both mental and physical health. By making movement an accessible and enjoyable part of daily life, you can unlock the healing power of exercise.
DALL-E Prompt:
“A vibrant charity walk scene featuring participants of all ages, some wearing Moving Day shirts, with banners supporting Parkinson’s awareness, surrounded by a lively park setting on a sunny day.”
Disclaimer:
AI-generated medical content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis; I hope you found this blog post informative and interesting. www.parkiesunite.com by Parkie
Keywords: Moving Day charity walk, Parkinson’s awareness, exercise mental health, fitness motivation, walking for health