5 Ways Exercise Can Boost Your Self-Esteem
There are many benefits of exercise, one of them being a boost in self-esteem. Exercising can make you feel more comfortable with yourself and increase your self-confidence. According to research, physical activity is directly and indirectly associated with self-esteem. One of the most prominent ways exercise can boost your self-esteem is by making you look better, but toning muscles and losing weight are just the beginning. There are innumerable ways physical activity can boost your self-esteem, and in this guide, we'll touch upon five of our favorite.
1. Improve Your Mental Health
In addition to building physical strength, exercise can improve mental health. It's been shown to reduce depression, anxiety and negative moods as well as alleviate low self-esteem and social withdrawal. In place of these negative emotions, exercise boosts self-esteem and cognitive function.
2. Reduce Stress
Any form of exercise, from aerobics to strength training to yoga, can act as a stress reliever. Physical activity boosts feel-good endorphins and distracts the mind from daily stresses.
3. Gain a Sense of Accomplishment
One of the biggest payoffs of exercise is that, through focus and physical movement, you're able to feel a strong sense of accomplishment. Whether you beat an old time in the 100-meter dash or add time to your daily walk, exercise can give you a sense of pride at having achieved a particular goal.
4. Improve Your Brain Function
During endurance exercise, a molecule called irisin is produced in the brain through a chain reaction. Scientists believe it has neuroprotective effects and can activate genes involved in memory and learning. Through experiments on mice, investigators of Harvard Medical School and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discovered that irisin and FNDC5 become elevated in the brain during endurance exercise.
5. Start Feeling Better
In the short-term, exercise has been shown to enhance our mood and influence our minds toward adopting more positive thoughts. In the long-term, physical exercise can improve our confidence by making us feel good about our physique and abilities. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, each individual should exercise 150 to 300 minutes per week at a moderately intense level for an allover sense of well-being. Combine strength training, cardio and flexibility-building disciplines like yoga to reap the benefits of an allover approach to fitness.
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Improve Your Self-Esteem With Exercise at Excellence In Fitness Personal Training Studios
Self-esteem is a powerful factor in an individual's overall well-being. At Excellence In Fitness, we're committed to maximizing your time in our studio to boost your confidence and improve your physical and mental well-being. For the last 12 consecutive years, we've been voted the Best Personal Trainers in Annapolis and Millersville, Maryland by local community residents. Remember, you have the strength to become who you desire — and deserve — to be, especially with training from EIF's enthusiastic team. Don't wait — schedule a free consultation and intro workout today. We can't wait to start helping you!