If you’re living with a mental health disorder, there are many effective treatment options available to you, ranging from counseling to medication. However, it’s also important that you don’t forget about the power of physical exercise. Staying active isn’t a cure, but it does facilitate the right conditions for recovery. The following are just a few of the ways regular exercise can help someone struggling with a mental health disorder.

5 Mental Health Benefits Achieved Through Exercise

1. Lowering Stress

When you exercise vigorously, your brain releases greater doses of norepinephrine, which is a chemical that has been shown to help the brain cope with stress more effectively. Fitness enthusiasts who insist that exercise is a great stress reliever aren’t lying—it’s been scientifically proven.

2. Increasing Confidence

Many people suffering from mental health issues like depression also experience diminished levels of self-confidence. However, by improving yourself physically and achieving new fitness goals, you’ll help to restore that self-esteem.

3. Preventing Mental Decline

The brain, like any other part of the body, will inevitably weaken over time. This often occurs at a faster rate in people with mental illnesses. Fortunately, exercise has been proven to be even more effective than brain training games when it comes to slowing the progress of mental decline.

4. Improving Sleep

Mental health problems—especially depression—often lead to sleep difficulties. Instead of turning to drugs with potentially harmful side effects, consider exercising five hours before bed. Research shows that regular workouts can be as powerful as sleeping pills when it comes to promoting a good night’s rest.

5. Reducing Anxiety

Interval training, in which you work out vigorously for a minute or so, followed by an interval of rest, followed by more activity, is already regarded as a great way to lose weight. It’s also effective at reducing feelings of anxiety, which is a common symptom of many mental illnesses.

If you or a loved one is struggling to manage a mental health issue, the compassionate team at Daymark Recovery Services, with multiple locations throughout North Carolina, can help. Whether you need counseling or addiction treatment, they’ll work hard to provide you with the quality care you need to maintain your quality of life. Visit them online for more information on their services.