Why Exercise is Very Important

By Jen Aguirre
If you are the average American who juggles a full-time job and a family, you're pulled in many different directions at once. Many people juggle a family, full-time job while going to school. This hustle and bustle pace of life sadly has become the norm for many of us, and after awhile, it takes its toll. Sadly, we see more and more people having to rely on medications for anxiety and depression just to cope with their day-to-day lives. But is there something else we can do to help ourselves cope with stress?
Exercise is a very effective weapon against the enemy of depression and anxiety disorders. Some people may argue they are stretched to the max already, how can they possibly find the time to exercise? Discovering just how effective exercise can be in alleviating and possibly preventing the symptoms of depression and anxiety may just inspire you to make the time.
The good news is, you can reap the emotional benefits of exercise in as little as ten minutes if that is all you have. The point is to get your body moving in one way or another for at least ten minutes a day, building up as you go along. Chances are you will feel so much better that you will find ways to make time for exercise.
Just how does exercise impact emotional health? For starters, it stimulates the release of endorphins, which are the body's "feel-good" chemicals (proteins, actually). Exercise has a soothing effect on the nervous system, which helps to alleviate pain and elevate mood. By walking thirty minutes a day, five days a week, you are helping your body combat the symptoms of depression and anxiety. It generally takes approximately a month of consistent exercise for evidence of efficacy, but keeping this pace helps ensure the symptoms to do not reoccur.
Exercise is also effective in reducing the effects of muscular tension caused by stress. Exercise increases the blood flow to the muscles, thereby reducing tension. If you start to feel yourself become stressed while at work, stopping for a moment to take even a brisk five-minute walk can make a huge difference in reducing tension, clearing your mind and elevating your mood. That headache you felt coming on a little bit ago will most likely disappear and you can return to your activities refreshed.
Most of us have a hard time sleeping when we are stressed or depressed. We may find that our minds are racing when it's time for bed, and are unable to sleep until it's almost time to wake up. Regular exercise helps to expend that nervous energy, which in turn, allows us to sleep a lot better. Exercise has been proven to improve the quality of sleep, which goes hand in hand with combating the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Thirty minutes of brisk exercise coupled with at least 7 hours of sleep is a winning combination to improved mood and reduced stress levels.
With all the benefits exercise boasts, it's really more than worth it to find the time to fit it into your daily regime. Incorporating small changes at first, such as parking as far away as possible from your destination and walking the rest of the way can go a long way to establishing healthy exercise habits. You will find your moods are better, your mind is clearer and the tasks of the day may seem less daunting. Not to mention, your waistline will be shrinking, too!