5/4/2023 0 Comments Benefits of physical activityThat’s because chemicals in our brains that affect mood, such as serotonin, stress hormones and endorphins, change when we exercise. “Studies have shown that simply getting cardio exercise on a regular basis actually improves certain beneficial hormones in our bodies in the same way that antidepressants can,” says Dr. The fact is, when we work our muscles, it makes us feel good, and studies increasingly show that mental and emotional health can be improved through exercise, both in the short and long term. Mental health and exercise: the brain-body connectionĪnyone who’s ever gone for a walk to shake off a hard day knows that a little exercise can do wonders for a bad mood. We spoke with Katharine Reynolds, PhD, Jessica Hawks, PhD, and Jenna Glover, PhD, three child and adolescent psychologists in our Pediatric Mental Health Institute, about the mind-body connection, how exercise and play help with mental health and what counts as “enough” physical activity for kids. If you’re thinking, “Who has time for that?” then trust us: You’re not alone. Getting kids moving – no matter the time of year – is important now more than ever as rates of depression and anxiety in youth have surged, a trend that has only intensified due to changes and stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic.īoth the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend kids get at least one hour of physical activity every day. is getting the recommended amount of physical activity each day. But despite the many proven benefits of an active lifestyle on children’s physical, mental and emotional well-being, only one in four children in the U.S. It’s well established that exercise and physical activity are crucial to a child’s development and overall health.
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