The Best Physical Activities To Help With Mental Health

Even though you might not think about it at first, it’s important to know that your mental health is just as important as your physical health when it comes to your overall wellbeing, plus, you can take care of your mental health by doing things that are good for your physical health; it’s a win-win because you’ll be doing all the things that are good for you in one simple exercise (that you’ll hopefully enjoy as well). 

There are some exercises that are better for your mental health than others (although anything that boosts your endorphin levels is good, to be fair), so let’s take a look at what they are so you can make sure you pick the right one for you if you want better mental (and physical) health. 

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Running And Jogging

Running and jogging are fantastic activities that can really benefit you when it comes to all aspects of your health, including your mental health. There are actually a few different reasons why this might be the case, and one that people often talk about is the fact that it’s a repetitive action - you’re just taking one step and then another and then another and so on (at varying speeds). Because you don’t have to put much thought into what you’re doing, you can let your mind go blank - which is exactly what you need to do if you want to practice mindfulness - and when that happens, all your worries and stresses can melt away, helping you feel better. 

That same repetitive motion will also trigger endorphins, which you can think of as the body’s natural mood enhancer. So you’ll feel great during and after a run, and you’ll be less stressed too - it’s perfect. 

Disc Golf 

Disc golf is a unique sport and one you might not have heard of, but it’s a lot of fun, and it can be just the thing for your mental health. The game takes the idea of traditional golf but adds the fun of throwing frisbees, which is why it’s so different and something that, once you start, you might not want to stop! 

You’ll be playing in a scenic spot with plenty of space (so you’ll feel at peace, and it’ll be relatively calm and quiet - a brilliant way to calm a busy mind), and you’ll also need to focus on what you’re doing if you want to score any points. Although having an empty mind is great, as we mentioned above, focusing on just one thing so you’re not thinking about whatever’s worrying you is also great, so disc golf is a good option for better mental health and something fun and different to do. 

Yoga

Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when you’re thinking of physical activities that can improve your mental health is yoga, and you certainly wouldn’t be wrong - yoga can do a lot for the body and mind. 

Yoga is about moving your body, holding poses, controlling your breathing, and even meditating, and if you combine all those things together, you’ll find that it adds up to good mental health. Many people use yoga as their preferred way to reduce stress, and what’s really great about it is that anyone can do it, no matter what level of physical fitness you might be at.