Fitness Together Brecksville: Trainer Tuesdays: Can Exercise Improve My Mood?

Trainer Tuesdays

Welcome back to the weekly edition on Trainer Tuesdays. Make sure to check in at our blog every Tuesday evening to learn the expertise of our great staff. Aside from being fantastic exercise coaches, they are also extremely knowledgeable in many aspects of health and fitness; so, it's time that you get to know them a little better! Each week, we will post a frequently asked, or sometimes just a fun fitness related question followed by the answers of each of the trainers at Fitness Together Brecksville.

Can Exercise Improve My Mood?

Kelly Bailey: “When I’m stressed I go for a run.” “When I’ve had a bad day at work, I hit the gym.” This is something we’ve all heard from friends and family that make exercise a regular part of their lives. The link between physical activity and psychological well-being, while not perfectly understood yet by science, is undeniable. Exercise just makes us feel better. The benefits can help anyone, from those that need relief from a stressful job, to those that suffer from chronic

depression and anxiety disorders. So the next time you are feeling a little down, have had a bad day at work, or the kids are driving you crazy, don’t skip your workout because that’s when you need a boost from physical activity the most!

Steven Madden: Exercise has been well documented to help improve your mood. If you've ever talked to a runner, you may have heard of the phenomenon know as a "runners high"--a feeling of euphoria after a bout of physical exertion. This exertion, not limited to runners alone, leads to an

endorphin release that can help improve your mood. However, that is simply short term. In the

long term, regular exercise will help you feel better by increasing your energy levels, helping

you to sleep better and helping to change your body composition so you can better handle

the physical stress placed on your body daily. Increased heart and lung capacity also makes

relaxation and recovery easier as well. All of these can help to lead to an overall improvement

in how you feel.

Taynee Pearson: Exercise can help improve your mood and it helps relieve stress. Exercise will help you with your overall mood because it can increase your self-esteem, confidence and helps reduce stress levels. The body releases endorphins during intense exercise which are chemicals that help improve your mood and help you feel good about yourself. Exercise is a good way to clear your mind from the world around you.

Jenn Noggle: Yes, yes, and absolutely YES! This is actually one of my favorite things about exercise. In addition to the numerous physical benefits of exercise, the mental benefits can also be dramatic. Exercise causes a release of those feel-good brain chemicals such as neurotransmitters and endorphins, which can greatly ease depression and anxiety. The increase in body temperature may also result in a calming effect. Additionally, immune system chemicals that can worsen depression are reduced through exercise. The even greater news is that most research has found that even just 20 minutes of moderate exercise per day can have great benefits. I’m pretty sure we can all find 20 minutes each day to move our bodies. The benefits of the physiologic changes that occur in the body coupled with other potential benefits, such as increased confidence, improved self-esteem, and social networking are well worth the investment! Schedule your 20 or more minutes per day into your calendar today and enjoy the rewards!

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Trainer Tuesdays: Can Exercise Improve My Mood?

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