Let's talk about physical activity and mental health

     Exercising is extremely important for both your physical and mental health. Although many people workout to change their physical appearance and improve their physical health, the majority don't realize that it's also helping their mental health. I remember feeling upset with my body and overall quality of life, and when I decided to start moving my body and trying different workouts, programs, and activities, I started to feel clarity, and my mood improved rapidly. Healthdirect, a government-funded website that provides information and advice about health, provides a simple explanation as to why your mental health improves with exercise, "Exercise causes your brain to release 'feel good' chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that helps improve your mood." Once you improve your mental health, reaching all your health and wellness goals will be easier. 

    I learned that I loved working out in the morning, so the first thing that I do when I wake up is go workout. But that might not be the case for everyone; you could like working out in the middle of the day or even late at night. Whatever works best for your schedule and to get the results you want. Working it into your routine will be easier once you figure out a time of day. There's an interesting article about how working out at different times of the day could impact your fitness goals. For example, morning workouts may benefit your sleep cycle, burn more fat, and even boost your mood for the rest of the day. The benefits of working out in the afternoon or nighttime include improving physical performance, the body warming up, stress relief after a long day, and helping replace bad habits (Capritto & Castro-Sloboda, 2023). Moving your body any way or any time of day is best for you in the long run, so do what works for you!

Here's a picture of me ready for my 8 a.m. workout!

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/exercise-and-mental-health#:~:text=Learn%20more%20here.-,How%20does%20exercise%20help%20my%20mental%20health%3F,you%20from%20negative%20thought%20patterns.

https://www.cnet.com/health/fitness/the-best-time-of-day-to-exercise-according-to-science/