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Mental Health Benefits of Exercise and Eating Right

Teri Karjala • Apr 14, 2014

“When it comes to eating right and exercising, there is no “I’ll start tomorrow”. Tomorrow is disease.” – Terri Guillemets

It is safe to assume that many of us have put “Lose Weight”, “Exercise More”, or “Eat Healthier” at the top of our New Year Resolutions. It is important to understand why we want to make these changes and why they are beneficial to our mental health. Losing weight is usually the key catalyst to our new desire to get more exercise or change our eating habits, but beyond losing weight the affects of diet and exercise can greatly influence our wellness and mental health. Are you dreading your date with your treadmill or choking down your dinner of chicken breast and vegetables?

Here are a few reasons to make you enthusiastic about your new exercise regime and healthy eating habits:

Aerobic exercise done 3 to 5 times a week can reduce anxiety
Exercise several times a week has been proven to relieve the symptoms of depression
Eating a healthy breakfast speeds up your metabolism and gives you greater mental dexterity
Exercise helps you sleep better, resulting in higher levels of energy renewed
Working-out can take your mind off of your worries
Endorphins are released while exercising which are responsible for happiness and your body’s painkillers
Hitting your goals can help you gain confidence
Eating protein-rich snacks boost production of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which improve stress levels, mood and mental acuity
Short exercise sessions can reduce anger, tension, and sadness
Foods like fruits, nuts, and vegetables support a balanced mood
Crash dieting, deprivation, or setting unrealistic goals are the common reason for resolutions to be broken. It is more beneficial to make small changes that are not drastic and all at once, and to stay consistent with these changes. Rather than focusing on the new love handles you have acquired over the holidays, or the skinny jeans that are collecting dust in your closet, make your resolutions about health – both physical and mental.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Teri Karjala is a Licensed Professional Counselor & Marriage and Family Therapist. She is the founder and Executive Director of Creative Counseling Center, LLC. Working in the field since 1999, Teri and her team of therapists specializes in counseling for those who have experienced trauma. They work with children as young as age 2, as well as teens and adolescents, adults, seniors, families, and couples.

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