One of the quickest ways to naturally elevate your mood and relieve negative feelings of stress or anxiety is by squeezing in a workout. Getting up and moving your body can have major benefits for both your physical and mental health. Whether you’re looking for some feel-good workouts to accompany your weight-loss treatment from RCMC Medical Center or just need to reduce stress and get happy fast, keep reading to learn some of the best exercises you can do to boost your mood.
Yoga
Calm down and refocus your attention with a short yoga workout or meditation. This lower energy workout can be made accessible for anyone regardless of experience or ability and is shown to naturally decrease stress and elevate your mood. Relax your muscles and clear your mind with yoga exercises to treat symptoms of anxiety and depression with tecniques that are sure to leave you feeling grounded and at peace.
Cardio
One of the best ways to get your blood pumping and your brain releasing feel-good chemicals like serotonin is by doing a good cardio workout, such as running or jogging. High-intensity cardio workouts are the best way to see a difference in your mood or overall mental health when hitting the gym. If you aren’t a fan of cardio and need to ease into these workouts a bit more, try walking on an inclined treadmill until you feel comfortable jogging at a slow pace, then continue to gradually increase your speed from there.
Hiking
Taking a hike gives you the high-intensity element needed for your brain to release happy chemicals, plus being outside exploring nature as is required of many hiking trails is also shown to have relaxing and calming effects on hikers, and is a natural mood booster in itself. Plus, hiking feels less like a hard workout and more like fun, even if you are attempting a moderately difficult trail. Just make sure you have proper gear!
Whether you are an experienced gym-goer or just looking to add some beginner-friendly exercises to your daily routine, working out is one of the best things you can do for your body and mind. Following these 3 methods of exercising are a great way to get your body moving while decreasing negative emotions and will have major benefits for both your physical and mental health.
