Exercise Benefits Mind: Beyond Mood

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SUMMARY

Exercise provides significant mental benefits beyond mood enhancement, including improved focus and reduced cyclical thinking. Engaging in physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, enriching it with oxygen and nutrients essential for cell maintenance and overall well-being. Additionally, exercise triggers the release of endorphins and adrenaline, which alleviate pain and enhance performance. A lack of exercise correlates with increased stress hormones, emphasizing the importance of regular physical activity for mental health.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the physiological effects of exercise on the brain
  • Knowledge of endorphins and their role in pain management
  • Familiarity with the concept of blood oxygenation during physical activity
  • Awareness of stress hormones and their impact on mental health
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the relationship between exercise and cognitive function
  • Explore the effects of outdoor exercise on mental clarity
  • Investigate the role of endorphins in pain relief and mood enhancement
  • Study the impact of stress hormones on mental health and exercise interventions
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for fitness enthusiasts, mental health professionals, and anyone interested in understanding the cognitive benefits of regular physical activity.

Lonewolf
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Are there any benefits for the mind from exercise, as well as body, apart from on mood?
 
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Originally posted by Lonewolf
Are there any benefits for the mind from exercise, as well as body, apart from on mood?

exercise will offer an escape from cyclical thinking and unnecessary thoughts... its much like meditation or relaxation therapy. When you must focus on the task at hand (ie: playing hockey)... all other trivial, stressor thoughts tend to receed. (although hockey is a bad example when you consider the number of conflicts)

exercise will also offer blood to the brain which it needs a fair amount of at any time of day or night. A person's blood, during exercise, is especially enriched with oxygen... expecially if the exercise takes place out of doors... out of the way of the air conditioner and the flourescent lighting. The oxygen and iron adhereing to the blood are used in cell maintanence, health and produce an overall feeling of well-being for the respective cells and organs of an organism.

exercise produces endorphins that dull pain from repetitive motion. It excites epinephren (adrenaline) which, in turn, enhances performance. These excretions are autonomic and occur when the body begins any sudden and reoccuring movements.

It is thought that a lack of exercise (and the build-up of stressor thoughts that do not lead to action) releases nor-epinephren (amoung many other hormones) which is a hormone associated with stress, fear, anger and immobility. So, at the end of the day, when you see a crowd of office workers leaving their honeycombed palace of employment... you might want to cross to the other side of the street.
 
Originally posted by Lonewolf
Are there any benefits for the mind from exercise, as well as body, apart from on mood?


Studies show that that physical activity promotes enhanced focusing abilities.
But, I don't quite understand your question. Are you asking whether the excercising of the body helps the mind or vice versa?
 
I was asking the ways in which exercising the body benefits the mind.
 
Originally posted by Lonewolf
I was asking the ways in which exercising the body benefits the mind.

Why?
 
Originally posted by quantumcarl
Why?

Why Not?
 
Originally posted by quantumcarl
Why?

Because I wanted to know..
 
Originally posted by Lonewolf
Because I wanted to know..

try a google search on "exercise" or "exercise and mind" or "benefits of exercise".
You will find some interesting facts to consider about your question.

Thank you.
 
I have been in intense, severe pain for most of the past nine months. One way of relieving the pain is to exercise. My mind feels freer, more open, less aggravated and irritable as a result of the exercise, which makes the pain go away, if only for a while. A specialist could no doubt explain exactly what is going on, but I can assure you, exercise is of great benefit to the mind.
 

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