Exercise and Mental Health (Biological)

Understanding Exercise and Mental Health

Regular exercise promotes psychological well-being and can reduce depression and anxiety.
Physical activities produce endorphins, chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators.

Endorphin Release: Physical activity stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators. They are known as ‘feel good’ hormones.
Serotonin Levels: Exercise can increase the level of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood, sleep, learning, and appetite. It’s often called the ‘happy chemical’.
Neuroplasticity: Regular physical activity enhances neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to form and reorganise synaptic connections), which can enhance cognitive function and potentially reduce the risk of developing mental health disorders.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): Exercise stimulates the production of BDNF, a substance essential for the growth of brain cells.

Depression: Regular physical activity can have antidepressant effects in people with mild to moderate depression.
Anxiety: Exercise can also reduce symptoms of anxiety. Regular workouts can ease symptoms in people who have anxiety and improve their sense of well-being.
Stress: Physical activity reduces the body’s stress hormones - such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates the production of endorphins.
Sleep Disorders: Regular physical activity can help to regulate the sleep-wake cycle, contribute to better quality sleep, and alleviate sleeping disorders, which are often linked with several mental health conditions.

Incorporating exercise routines in mental health interventions could offer cost-effective, non-pharmacological complement to traditional therapies.
Building exercise into routine care could improve patient outcomes and could be particularly beneficial for patients who are reluctant to engage with more traditional therapeutic interventions.