Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/1483837
www.AbbysHealthFood.com | # 53| Page 29 TampaDentalCare.c m 1201 West Linebaugh Avenue Tampa, Florida 33612 813.933.5365 David F. Doering D.D.S. • PLLC doeringfamilydental Congrats on 25 Years Abby's! maybe you've come home from a brutally stressful day at work and decided to hit the gym, and suddenly you've felt a bit of relief. Exercise is thought to reduce stress by reducing levels of stress-related hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. In animal studies, regular exercise has also been shown to provide resistance to various stressors. In other words, exercise doesn't just help you handle stress — it may help prevent stress in the first place. A 2015 study in a sample of highly trained and sedentary young men found that those who completed 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise were much more resilient to an acute stressor than those who did not exercise. Therefore, those who exercise may be able to better deal with common stressors, and this could improve their overall quality of life. May improve self-confidence Another mental health benefit closely linked with exercise is improved positive personal image and self-confidence. Several studies have found that regular exercise can contribute to an improved body image and better self-compassion. Therefore, being physically active can be a great way to boost self-esteem and feel good about your body. Can improve mood Yet another positive mental health benefit of exercise is its effect on your overall mood. Several studies indicate that performing regular physical activity is associated with a more positive mood and a reduction in negative thoughts. So, if you're feeling down in the dumps, you may be one workout away from having a more positive outlook and beating mild feelings of depression. Can promote better sleep One commonly overlooked factor in maintaining mental health is how well you sleep at night. Although several factors affect your sleep quality, your level of physical activity appears to be particularly influential. A 2017 review of 34 studies concluded that exercise, regardless of the type, can improve sleep efficiency and duration. What's more, exercise may improve sleep onset latency, or the time it takes you to fall asleep. Therefore, if you have difficulty getting enough quality sleep, incorporating regular exercise — regardless of the type — may provide great benefits. May promote sharper memory and thinking In addition to its numerous positive effects on mental health, exercise may positively impact your thinking and memory. Research suggests that exercising regularly can boost mental clarity and improve working memory and attention span. In addition, exercise has been shown to help reduce cognitive decline in adults over age 50. While regular exercise can provide several general mental health benefits, it can also help relieve the symptoms of some specific mental health conditions, which we will look at in depth below. SUMMARY The most experienced, science-backed benefits of physical activity on mental health are reductions in stress, improved self-confidence, improved mood, better sleep quality, sharper memory, and clearer thinking. Medically reviewed by Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS, Fitness