Given that this week of TRANSFORMED focuses on physical health, and next week we will be focusing on mental health, I thought a piece on the connection between physical and mental health would be a good topic to bridge the gap between these two areas.

There is much research discussing the link between mental and physical health. There’s a connection between the two that we might not always think about. Some people may vaguely state that they “feel better” after they’ve exercised or that exercise clears their mind. Since we are all probably pretty well aware of the benefits of exercise on our physical health, I’d like to talk about some of the specific ways in which exercise and physical activity benefits your mental health.

When people talk about “feeling good” after a workout, what’s happening is that exercise released feel-good chemicals called endorphins in the brain. It is thought that “runner’s high,” the euphoric sensation that some runners get during and after a run is caused by the release of endorphins. It’s interesting that one of the first things I often do with people who see me for depression is to work out a plan with them to get them more physically active. When people are depressed, it isn’t likely that they are physically active; they’ve often lost the desire and the energy to exercise. Focusing on one’s thinking and what’s going through his or her mind is important when treating depression, but getting the person physically active is a very important part as well.

Being physically active can also improve mental health by improving one’s self-confidence. When we set and achieve goals, whether they be exercise goals or otherwise, we feel good about ourselves. The goal can be whatever would be a challenge for you, whether that be running 1 mile or 10 miles. Chances are once you’ve reached your goal, you’ll feel better about yourself.

As if the preceding reasons weren’t enough, exercising can also help stave off cognitive decline. Working out, especially between the ages of 25 and 45, boosts the chemicals in the brain that support and prevent degeneration of the hippocampus, an important part of the brain for memory and learning. So while working out may not prevent Alzheimer’s Disease, at least it may be able to hold it off a little longer. On a side note, there are plenty of other things one can do to help delay Alzheimer’s, such as engaging in mentally stimulating activities such as crossword puzzles, reading, or learning a foreign language.

I’m hoping and praying all of you are enjoying the TRANSFORMED series and that you’ve set some goals for yourself and are prepared to let God work and see what He can do over the course of this series and after. If you have time today, get out and enjoy this spring weather. Spring is finally here!