Using Exercise as a Tool for Mental Health

There is a 3-letter word in the English language which is the key to releasing untapped potential: why. “Why” is a question that acts like a doorway to new perspectives, greater understanding, and growth. Now let me ask you a question…when it comes to exercise, what is your why?

For most people, our why’s are to lose weight, get healthier, and get stronger. Unfortunately, a majority of these people find out that their why wasn’t strong enough because when the going got tough, they gave up. But what happens when you change your why from something physical to something mental? What happens when your why for exercising changes to improving mental health and becoming happier?

In scientific research, there have been a TON of studies done about exercising improving mental health. Across thousands of studies, the same result was found. Exercise is proven to be beneficial in improving mental health, personal happiness, social well-being, and quality of life. So if simply exercising helps us become happier and improves our mental health, couldn’t that be a solid reason to exercise?

From personal experience, I can tell you that exercising for mental health takes away most of the anxiety about pushing my limits and getting tired. Don’t get me wrong, I still have physical goals, but my main goal for exercising is to build confidence in my abilities and become more and more mentally tough. With physical goals, sometimes I miss the mark and don’t achieve what I set out for, but with these mental goals, I succeed and grow with every workout I finish.

Maybe for you, having physical goals is a better motivator. But if you’re the type of person who gets anxiety about exercising or is looking to build confidence in your own strength, really think about changing your why. Who knows…behind that door could be the untapped potential you’ve been looking for.