excercise T he B rainy B enefits O f
t he
If you’ve ever left your car sitting in the garage for too long without using it, the risk is e way
sam batter y will have gone flat or the engine will have developed problems. In just the condition. you need to keep your body moving to keep your health and wellbeing in tip top
By Dr. Jenny Brockis
Exercise and mental wellbeing You may have noticed how, when you’ve got a lot on your mind, going for a walk or a jog helps to clarify your thoughts. You come back feeling energised and in a better mood. And because that effect results from the boost in blood flow and release of neurochemicals, exercising earlier in the day is ideal. Research has shown that regular exercisers enjoy better mental wellbeing, with an average of 18 fewer days of feeling bad compared with the less physically active. In his book Spark!, John Ratey identified the cognitive and emotional benefits of exercising at the beginning of the day. But if that thought sends you into a complete tailspin because of all the other activities that consume your mornings, any time (except within two or three hours of bedtime) is good. A number of studies have confirmed that supervised aerobic exercise has an antidepressant effect through boosting the release of the powerful mood-enhancing hormones dopamine, serotonin and endorphins. No wonder a little bit of exercise makes us feel good. continued next page...
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Peninsula Kids – Spring 2020