Looking for easy ways to boost your mental health? It can be as simple as sweating a little bit each day.
Getting physical exercise releases endorphins, no matter the level of intensity. From walking to getting in your 10,000 steps to a HIIT workout there are fast and quick ways to stay in shape, but more importantly, maintain mental health practices.
If you are looking for a new way to move your body for the purpose of giving yourself a mental health boost, give one of these sports a try.
Yoga
Yoga is the most typical sport that people think of when they imagine zen and centered attitudes. It definitely isn't the only form of exercise to improve mental health through mindfulness, but if you haven't at least given it a try, it is worth the hype.
There are many forms of yoga, and it is important to do the right kind in order to reach your fitness (and mental fitness) goals, such as yoga for relaxing or yoga for getting toned. Although what they all have in common is movement must be in sync with the breath, which has very calming effects on the body from mental health relief to releasing muscle tension.
Find the kind of yoga that works for you, from joining a class to finding a video or an app for health and wellness.
Pilates
Pilates is like a cousin to yoga, but it is more centered around fitness than relaxation. It is still vital to move with the breath, but pilates involves a lot more repetitive movements. When thinking about a pilates workout, think of it like a marathon not a race. The objective is to maintain poses and exercises, not do them as fast as you can, compared to a high-intensity workout.
Consider adding pilates to your exercise routine because it activates muscle groups that don't usually get used, helping tone. Other than physical exercise, it is an accessible way to challenge your body, break a sweat to boost mental health as well.
Walking
Be that girl who wakes up every day and goes for a walk, or who uses her lunch break to be active and take a walk. Adding in walking time is a time saver in terms of folks with busy schedules who still want to move their bodies.
Walk to work instead of taking the metro, even if it takes 15 minutes longer, it is 15 minutes more of moving your body before starting your workday. Or walk to the store, instead of driving. Taking a few minutes to get some air and clear your head go a long way for sustaining mental health practices.
Swimming
Swimming is often perceived as an Ulta athletic sport for people like Michael Phelps, but that isn't the case, swimming is one of the best sport for staying in shape, mentally too. Getting in the water is like entering another reality, many people enjoy running for the mental escape, but swimming provides that on top of the added feeling of moving through an element.
For folks who just want to get in the water and move their bodies, swimming also provides natural weight training. Just moving around, kicking your legs with a kickboard gets your muscles activated, toned, and lets your body let off some steam.
No matter your swimming skill level, there is something for everyone in the water when your goal is mental fitness.
Cycling
Indoor and outdoor cycling is one of the best low-impact cardio sports, as it burns almost as many calories as running and is guilt-free for your joints. Plus, cycling is accessible as long as you have a bike.
See it as a way to get outside and move your body in a different way than walking or running. It engages your muscles no matter the intensity, and for most people, it is an enjoyable way to break a sweat at their own pace and find a mental escape.
Getting Outside
Trainers, workout enthusiasts, and even celebrities will tell you one of their exercise secrets is to get outside for an active time, not for the physical workout, but for the wellness benefits.
For folks who have busy schedules, it can be hard to find the time to get outside, but pairing it with active time is a great way to support both habits and most importantly be intentional about making active time a way to support mental fitness.
