Most of us experience increased stress and anxiety during a pandemic, which can be detrimental to our mental health if left unchecked. One thing that is expected to improve mental health is exercise. In addition, diligent exercise can also improve the body and reduce stress levels.
Types of Sports that Improve Mental Health
Physical activity does have many positive effects, including being able to make the mind clearer. Besides being good for the physical, which can increase immunity. There are several sports that have a good effect on physical health as well as mental health. The following are some exercises that can improve mental health:
Walk
Walking is the simplest, easiest, and cheapest exercise to do. Although it may seem trivial, a 10-minute walk in nature is great for health. Moving your body in an easy and fun way is the best way to start exercising. Setting a strenuous exercise target can sometimes overwhelm us and fail to achieve it.
Yoga
The gentle movements of yoga can be used as something calming. Yoga moves use breathing, and it’s good for health. Taking long, deep breaths for a long time can cut off all the bad thoughts that keep haunting you. Calm breathing puts the nervous system into rest mode so we can relax more. In addition, yoga also puts the body through all areas of movement and helps us see things from a new angle in interesting poses.
Swimming
Adding 10 minutes of swimming to your daily routine can improve mental health. However, he still emphasizes that what matters is whether we enjoy it or not. If you don’t like being in the water, he recommends getting out of the water and trying something else.
HIIT
HIIT is important as a sport to improve mental health. HIIT is a high-intensity cardio workout that combines short-duration movements. Because the movement is intense, the mind becomes focused on a positive exercise. Remember to rest for 10 seconds after each movement, before moving on to the next. Repeat this series of movements until you reach the target of 20 minutes, and don’t forget to take breaks for 2 minutes.
Zumba
Zumba which involves active movement following the music can also be a sport to improve mental health. This exercise feels fun so that it increases the production of endorphins that increase feelings of happiness. Joining Zumba will improve your physical and mental health.
Dance
Dance or dancing activities can be a good physical activity for mental health. If you don’t enjoy doing Zumba, dancing can be an alternative. Dance with movements that suit your taste, to the accompaniment of your favorite music. Like zumba, dance is also related to happiness. Even if we are not in a very happy state, we can follow the energetic dance moves and it can relieve stress.