How to Guard your Mind and Body From the Stresses of Motherhood Through Physical Excercise

How to Guard your Mind and Body From the Stresses of Motherhood Through Physical Excercise

Let's face it: being a mom is a challenging feat. It comes with heartaches, anxiety, not being good enough, and delegating multiple household tasks while trying to raise well-rounded, happy, and healthy humans. These often overlooked day-to-day events can negatively impact a mother's mental and physical well-being. One way to address this serious issue, no stranger to any mom, is by incorporating exercise into our daily routine.

Physical exercise has many health benefits. Running, in particular, has some fantastic feel-good benefits! When you run, the brain releases endorphins and serotonin, chemicals that may improve mood. Studies show regular running at a moderate or vigorous pace can dramatically improve mental health, memory, and learning ability.

Running offers a powerful antidote to stress and anxiety. It significantly reduces the brain's response to physical and emotional stress. After a run, your body releases endocannabinoids, a natural chemical that mimics the effects of cannabis. This flood of endocannabinoids into your system provides a short-term sense of calm and reduced stress. It's a natural way to improve your physical and mental response to stressful situations, helping you feel more at ease and less overwhelmed.

Running boosts your mood by reducing anxiety and relieving depressive thoughts. It won't make depression disappear overnight, but it can help you manage the symptoms and replace those thoughts with happier and more positive ones. Some studies suggest regular running can have the same results as medication in relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Exercise also has many positive effects on our health. Just  30 minutes of daily routine at a moderate pace can lower the risk of heart disease. When you hit the road to jog, you build muscle, improve your heart health, and take care of your brain. Getting in shape will bring a sense of happiness and accomplishment.

Running and other cardiovascular exercises also improve brain performance by helping create new brain cells. The hippocampus—the part of the brain associated with memory and learning—has been found to increase in volume in the brains of regular exercisers. Other mental benefits of physical exercise are improved memory and focus, better multi-tasking abilities, and elevated mood.

Setting aside time to exercise might be something we all overlook as mothers. However, it's essential to understand that voluntary exercise is the single best thing one can do to combat mental health decline, improve mood, and get into a healthy physical shape. Don't let another day go by without it!