Shortly after the pandemic affected the whole world in 2020, many people turned to the internet to look up staying fit to avoid COVID in Atlanta. With mandates to stay at home and shelter in place, how to stay fit in Atlanta started to become a priority when Atlanta residents discovered that they grew increasingly more sedentary while working or studying from home, with zero exercise to boot. Some of you might have started searching for life coaches in Atlanta to help you get by, and we don’t blame you! The stress can seem insurmountable at times.
But aside from gaining a few pounds, most of us then started to feel the mental impact of the pandemic. Feelings of depression and anxiety might have started to creep in, even for those who have never felt that way before. From that point on, you’d see many content creators adding yoga and meditation to their recommended exercises for Atlanta WFH employees.
Today, it’s clear to see that staying fit to avoid COVID in Atlanta isn’t just about being physically fit, but also staying mentally sound. We’re now more aware of the relationship of physical exercise and mental health, but here are five mental benefits of physical exercise.
Helps against depression and anxiety
Physical exercise is a proven mood booster, helping decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety. When we work out, our body releases endorphins, or the “feel good” chemical produced by the brain and spinal cord. This chemical produces feelings of happiness and euphoria while you exercise.
That’s why many doctors will suggest an exercise regimen to their Atlanta patients before turning to medication. Even just moderate exercise throughout the week can improve depression and anxiety.
Reduce stress
Another reason you should incorporate exercises for WFH in Atlanta is that these routines reduce stress levels. Increasing your heart rate can reverse stress-induced brain damage by stimulating the production of neurohormones like norepinephrine. Norepinephrine not only improves cognition and mood but also improves thinking clouded by stressful events.
Exercise also facilitates the body’s central and sympathetic nervous systems to communicate, improving the body’s overall ability to respond to stress.
Aside from the proven scientific benefits, having a form of exercise that you love serves as a way for you to let out stress.
Boost self-esteem and self-confidence
Whether it’s a sport or just an exercise routine in the gym, there are a lot of physical achievements that can come about from regular exercise. Improving endurance, increasing muscle tone, getting stronger, or increasing mobility and flexibility are just some of the direct benefits of staying fit.
All of these physical benefits will no doubt result in a boost of self-esteem and confidence. After all, who wouldn’t feel better knowing that their body is now capable of greater feats after exercise.
Improved sleep
If you have trouble falling asleep at night while at home in Atlanta, physical exercise helps with that too. Regular physical activity increases body temperature, which can have a calming effect on the mind. This helps you go to sleep faster with less worrying about if you’ll get enough rest.
Exercise also helps regulate your circadian rhythm, our body’s built-in alarm clock that controls when we feel tired and when we feel sleepy.
Even though improved sleep is a benefit of exercise, most sleep experts do not recommend exercising close to bedtime.
Brain booster
Muscles aren’t the only thing that’s strengthened and built-in exercise. Studies on mice and humans show that cardiovascular exercise creates new brain cells through a process called neurogenesis and also improves overall brain performance.
Exercise also prevents cognitive decline and memory loss by strengthening the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning.
There are also studies that prove that exercise boosts creativity and mental energy. So if you ever have a mental block, your next great idea might just be a walk, lift, or jog away.
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