Exercise & Mood: How One Transforms the Other

The end of last week, January 12th, marked a very important, yet under-reported moment in our calendar year. That was the day, statistically, when most people gave up on their New Year's Resolutions. According to Strava, a social media network for athletes, a survey of 31.5 million participants revealed that Saturday was the day most Americans bailed on many of their health and fitness goals.

Despite our best intentions, most of us (80% in fact) will revert back to our old ways and give up on our newfound routines. If you find yourself in the middle of that struggle, don't give up hope. You can become someone who beats the odds. In the end it simply comes down to one thing: emotional energy. It's our mood, our will, and our tenacity to stick to something that will determine whether we can truly make a change in 2019.

You might be thinking, “I’m already running low on all of those things! That’s why I need to change.” The good news for you is that there is something you can do to boost your focus, energy, and emotional state--and what’s more, it’s completely free. As paradoxical as it is, burning energy through exercise is maybe the number one way to boost your mood levels, focus, physical appearance, and overall mental health. All you have to do is get through the crucible of the next few weeks. If you stick with it, your resolution will transform into something much more powerful than a dream: it will become a habit.

3 Ways that Exercise Can Supercharge Your Mood

To further inspire you on your fitness journey, here are 3 mental benefits of exercise. These are some of the key ways that working out can help elevate your mood and raise your emotional energy.

Even 1 Workout Can Ignite “Feel-good” Neurotransmitters

Neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki delivered a passionate Ted Talk last year where she announced exciting findings about the psychological benefits of exercise. According to Dr. Suzuki, even a single workout can create an uptick in neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline. Dr. Suzuki said that these vital chemicals can boost your sense of well-being and energy for up to two hours after the initial workout. The effects extend beyond the temporary ‘runner’s high,’ however. Dr. Suzuki said that the most exciting brain benefits come from long-term cardio exercise. Let’s look at few ways that regular exercise can impact your mind and emotions.

Long-Term Exercise Can Boost Focus & Attention

Much of life and the way we feel is in the details. The hundreds of small events that demand our focus every day can often dictate our mood and overall sense of fulfillment. One of the exciting long-term benefits of exercise is how it impacts our brain. According to Dr. Suzuki, regular exercise can boost our focus and attention as well as actually increase the size of our hippocampus, a part of the brain responsible for learning and memory. In this way, exercise may not only support your mood levels; it may also help boost your overall cognitive performance.

Exercise May Positively Impact the Structure of Your Brain

The scientific community has long-known that exercise benefits the mind and body. Yet only in recent years have they have observed that it may physically change the shape of our brains. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change shape and form new neural pathways. Over the past decade, scientists have discovered that the brain remodels itself throughout your life. Many researchers now believe that your moods may not only be determined by the chemicals in your brain; they may be related to the physical shape of the brain itself. A recent study indicated that exercise may stimulate neuroplasticity, and in doing so may help to rewire your brain in more positive ways. Exercise could help you form new positive neural connections, and through that process boost your overall mood.

Leverage All the Tools in Your Toolbelt

If you want to form a new habit, the first several weeks are the hardest. It is during this short but crucial time that every small decision you make can have a major impact downstream. If you’re trying to get serious about your health or fitness, then it’s worth it to invest everything you have in developing a positive routine. If you need some extra support while making these changes, we recommend Procera Mood. Our Mood formula contains a blend of ingredients that help provide stress relief and aid in relaxation. It is also formulated to address all aspects of mood enhancement, and it contains powerful agents such as Ashwagandha, Ginseng, L-Theanine and Magnesium. To learn about Procera Mood, click here.