Regular exercise helps reduce headaches and stress, improve sleep, and prevent hyperactivity disorders.
Dr. Than Thi Minh Trung, Deputy Head of the Department of Neurology, Center for Neuroscience, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that exercise helps stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and reactions in the body. People who exercise regularly will feel comfortable, full of energy, sleep well, remember better and think more positively.
Dr. Minh Trung shares some of the benefits of exercise for mental health and encourages people to exercise regularly.
Reduce symptoms of depression
Exercise is a supportive treatment for mild to moderate depression without causing side effects. Jogging for 15 minutes or walking for an hour every day helps reduce the risk of severe depression and prevent relapse. Because exercise promotes the growth of new neurons in the brain, reduces inflammation, creates new brain activity patterns, and promotes feelings of calm and happiness. Physical activity also helps release endorphins – chemicals in the brain that improve mood.
Less anxiety and stress
When stressed, the body reacts by tensing its muscles, especially in the face, neck and shoulders, leading to back pain, neck pain, headaches, chest tightness, and cramps. Prolonged stress is also a factor causing insomnia, heartburn, stomach pain, etc. Exercise can break this vicious cycle by releasing endorphins, relaxing muscles, reducing stress and improving health. A healthy body promotes a clearer, more relaxed mind.
Woman exercising in Hanoi. Photo: Ngoc Thanh
Improve ADHD
Regular exercise is one of the simple ways to help people with ADHD control their symptoms, improve their concentration, motivation, memory and mood. Physical activity increases the levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. These substances play an important role in regulating concentration and attention.
Prevent post-traumatic stress disorder
Exercises that involve cross-body movements, such as walking, jogging, swimming, weight training, or dancing, are beneficial for the brain. Outdoor activities such as hiking, rowing, mountain biking, and rock climbing can also help reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress.
Improve brain function and memory
Regular exercise helps stimulate the growth of new brain cells, prevent age-related memory loss, and improve sleep quality. Exercise also helps strengthen the immune system and reduce the effects of stress on the body and mind.
Dr. Minh Trung said that busy people who have difficulty finding time to exercise can exercise by taking their pets for regular walks during the day, doing housework, cleaning the yard, or gardening. Doing gentle stretching exercises while watching TV or during breaks at work is also helpful. Taking classes such as martial arts, dancing, or yoga to increase physical activity is also helpful.
Along with exercise, each person needs to rest scientifically and have regular neurological health check-ups. The diet should be balanced, prioritizing vegetables and fruits, limiting fat, sugar, grease, alcohol, and tobacco. Supplementing natural essences such as blueberry and ginkgo biloba helps improve cerebral blood circulation, increase nerve connections, improve memory, insomnia and headaches.