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22 Dec 2006 11:55 AM

Friday Fitness: The Psychological Benefits of Exercise

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

There are many benefits we've discussed that exercise provides for you and for your family. Remember, when you are healthier, happier and more likely to live healthier and longer - your family benefits as well. One of the reasons I enjoy exercising regularly is because I know it's a great gift that I can give to my daughter - because it means I'll be healthier and less stressed - and how can a child not benefit from that?

But beyond the obvious physical benefits of exercise, there are some impressive psychological benefits as well. So what are the psychological benefits of exercise?

• The first is obvious, you reduce your stress and you actually don't experience stress so intensely because you are better capable of coping with it and there are more than a 150 different health studies out there that support this
• Your personal happiness increases in the sense that regular exercise increases the level of hormones and neurotransmitters in your brain that boost your happiness - regular exercise gives you a mood boost every single day
• You have a better place to channel your anger, and I can vouch for this because when I've been angry or frustrated, a good workout lets that anger out and I feel my mood lift almost immediately
• Confidence builds when you exercise regularly because you have a sense of accomplishment whether it comes from being able to perform fifteen sit ups, walk for 45 minutes steadily or lifting fifteen pound weights when you started off your routines with just five pounds
• Regular exercise also helps your memory and this isn't just a promotional idea, there are actually studies that found previously sedentary individuals received an almost 25% boost to their memory with regular exercise after six months
• Finally, better lung function helps you manage all of these, when we're angry, our heart rates increase and our breathing grows shallow - stronger and healthier lungs are better for regulating your breathing. So imagine the next time you feel frustrated that you can take a deep breath and as you exhale, you relax more naturally

Exercise is good for every single part of your life. The physical, emotional and psychological benefits of regular exercise are tremendous. So why don't we exercise more?

Related Articles:

The Real Wonder Drug

Fitness Tips: Anger & Fitness

Friends and Mental Health

10 Top Reasons to Exercise

Faith in Fitness

Is Your Body a Temple?

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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