Share on Pinterest While you’re feeling that burn, you may also feel like you want to be literally anywhere other than the gym. But your body is thanking you the whole time — exercise has powerful effects on both the body and the mind. Many people hit the gym or pound the pavement to improve cardiovascular health, build muscle, and of course, get a rockin’ bod. But working out has above-the-neck benefits too. For the past decade or so, scientists have pondered how exercising can boost brain function. Studies show that making time for exercise provides some serious mental benefits, regardless of your age or fitness level (yup, this includes everyone from mall walkers to marathoners). Get inspired to exercise by reading up on these unexpected ways working out can benefit your mental health, improve your relationships, and help you lead a healthier and happier life. (Not a bad payoff for, like, an hour of being a bit sweaty.)

1. Reduce stress Rough day at the office? Spilled coffee and got your tie stuck in the shredder? Lacey in Accounts threw stuff at you again? Chill out by taking a walk or heading to the gym for a quick workout. One of the most common mental benefits of exercise is stress relief. Working up a sweat can help you manage physical and mental stress. Exercise also increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate your brain’s response to stress. So go ahead and get sweaty — it can reduce stress and boost your body’s ability to deal with existing mental tension. Win-win! And boo to Lacey — we got your back in the Accounts beef.

2. Boost happy chemicals Slogging through a few miles on the ’mill can be tough, but it’s worth the effort. Exercise causes your body to produce endorphins, which trigger feelings of happiness and euphoria. Research has shown that in people with major depression, exercise can increase the chance of remission by 22 percent by circulating endorphins. Belvederi Murri M, et al. (2018). Physical exercise in major depression: Reducing the mortality gap while improving clinical outcomes. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00762 For this reason, docs recommend that people dealing with depression or anxiety (or those who are just feeling blue) pencil in some gym time. A 2013 study found no difference between the effectiveness of antidepressants and exercise. Blumenthal JA, et al. (2013). Is exercise a viable treatment for depression? DOI: 10.1249/01.FIT.0000416000.09526.eb Don’t worry if you’re not exactly the gym-rat type — working out for just 30 minutes a few times a week can instantly boost your overall mood. Sharma A, et al. (2006). Exercise for mental health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470658/

3. Improve self-confidence If you’re not quite at Fonz-level self-confidence just yet, don’t worry — not all of us have to jump the shark to feel great. Hopping on the treadmill can help you feel like a million bucks too. On a very basic level, physical fitness can boost self-esteem and improve positive self-image. Sani S, et al. (2016). Physical activity and self-esteem: Testing direct and indirect relationships associated with psychological and physical mechanisms. https://www.dovepress.com/physical-activity-and-self-esteem-testing-direct-and-indirect-relation-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-NDT Regardless of weight, size, gender, or age, exercise can quickly elevate a person’s perception of their attractiveness. Elavsky S. (2010). Longitudinal examination of the exercise and self-esteem model in middle-aged women. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3603361/ Exercise is your way of reminding yourself how beautiful you are. So step on the CrossFit and send your soul some flirty DMs!

4. Enjoy the great outdoors For an extra boost of self-love, take your workout to the great outdoors. Exercising outside can increase self-esteem even more. Gladwell V, et al. (2013). The great outdoors: How a green exercise environment can benefit all. DOI: 10.1186/2046-7648-2-3 Find an outdoor workout that fits your style, whether it’s rock climbing, hiking, canoeing, or just taking a jog in the park. Even a long walk through verdant pastures and beautiful landscapes can be nourishing for your body and mind. Plus, all that vitamin D from soaking up the sun (while wearing sunscreen, of course!) can reduce your risk of experiencing symptoms of depression. Why book a spa day when a little fresh air and sunshine (and exercise) can work wonders for self-confidence and happiness?

5. Prevent cognitive decline It’s unpleasant, but it’s true: As we get older, our brains get a little… hazy. As aging and degenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease kill off brain cells, the noggin shrinks, damaging many important brain functions in the process. While exercise and a healthy diet can’t “cure” Alzheimer’s, they can help shore up your brain against cognitive decline that begins after age 45. Intlekofer KA, et al. (2013). Exercise counteracts declining hippocampal function in aging and Alzheimer’s disease. DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2012.06.011 Working out also boosts the chemicals that support and prevent degeneration of the hippocampus, an important part of your brain for memory and learning. Liu P, et al. (2018). Exercise-mediated neurogenesis in the hippocampus via BDNF. DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00052 Going for a run now might help you do better in that game of bridge in 40 years.

6. Alleviate anxiety Pop quiz, hotshot: Which is better at relieving anxiety — a warm bubble bath or a 20-minute jog? You might be surprised at the answer. (Don’t try jogging in the bath — it is not a safe pastime.) The warm and fuzzy chemicals that start to swim around your body after exercise can help soothe people with anxiety disorders. Hopping on the track or treadmill for some moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise (intervals, anyone?) can reduce anxiety symptoms. In a small 2018 study of people with a diagnosis of panic disorder, regular moderate-to-hard exercise led to a greater reduction in anxiety than light exercise. Lattari E, et al. (2018). Effects of aerobic exercise on anxiety symptoms and cortical activity in patients with panic disorder: A pilot study. DOI: 10.2174/1745017901814010011

7. Boost brainpower Brawn and brains are not mutually exclusive. Studies have shown that cardiovascular exercise can create new brain cells and improve overall brain performance. Griffin WE, et al. (2011). Aerobic exercise improves hippocampal function and increases BDNF in the serum of young adult males. DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.06.005 (Why do you think The Hulk is so good at science?) Ready to apply for a Nobel Prize? A 2019 study suggests that a tough workout increases levels of a brain-derived protein called BDNF, which may help with decision making, higher thinking, and learning. De la Rosa A, et al. (2019). Long-term exercise training improves memory in middle-aged men and modulates peripheral levels of BDNF and cathepsin B. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40040-8 So, spandex pants may lead to being a smartypants — so long as you exercise while you’re in ’em.

8. Sharpen memory Get ready to win big at Go Fish and Pairs: Regular physical activity boosts memory and the ability to learn new things. Working up a sweat increases production of cells in the hippocampus that are responsible for memory and learning. Erickson KI, et al. (2011). Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1015950108 For this reason, research has linked children’s brain development with their level of physical fitness (take that, recess haters!). Geertsen S, et al. (2016). Motor skills and exercise capacity are associated with objective measures of cognitive functions and academic performance in preadolescent children. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161960 But exercise-based brainpower isn’t just for kids. Even if it’s not as fun as a game of Tag, working out can boost memory among grown-ups too. A 2006 study found that running sprints improved vocabulary retention among healthy adults. Winter B, et al. (2006). High impact running improves learning. DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2006.11.003 And a 2018 study found that adults performed better on memory tests after short periods of light exercise. Suwabe K, et al. (2018). Rapid stimulation of human dentate gyrus function with acute mild exercise. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1805668115

9. Help manage addiction The brain releases dopamine, the “reward chemical,” in response to any form of pleasure. And yes, our good friend exercise can kick off a considerable wave of dopamine. However, so do drugs and alcohol. This reward cycle in the brain can lead to patterns of substance use disorder. Exercise is there for people while they recover from addiction. Brown AR, et al. (2010). Aerobic exercise for alcohol recovery: Rationale, program description, and preliminary findings short. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2829243/ Physical activity can distract people from cravings when they’re trying to quit smoking. Taylor AH, et al. (2007). The acute effects of exercise on cigarette cravings, withdrawal symptoms, affect and smoking behaviour: A systematic review. DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2006.01739.x Working out while on the wagon has other benefits too. Excessive alcohol use disrupts many body processes, including circadian rhythms. As a result, people with alcohol use disorder may find they have trouble falling asleep without drinking. A 2010 study on animals suggested that exercise might help reset the body clock so people can hit the hay at the right time without alcohol. Hammer SB, et al. (2010). Environmental modulation of alcohol intake in hamsters: Effects of wheel running and constant light exposure. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2929273/

10. Increase relaxation Lifting 50-kilo dumbbells doesn’t seem that relaxing… but have you ever caught some Zzz’s after a long run or weight session at the gym? Doesn’t it feel blissful? That’s because a moderate workout can be the equivalent of a sleeping pill, even for people with insomnia. Passos GS, et al. (2011). Effects of moderate aerobic exercise training on chronic primary insomnia. DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2011.02.007 Exercising 5 to 6 hours before bedtime raises your body’s core temperature. When your temp drops back to normal a few hours later, it signals to your body that it’s time to sleep. Youngstedt SD, et al. (2005). Effects of exercise on sleep. DOI: 10.1016/j.csm.2004.12.003 Kline CE. (2014). The bidirectional relationship between exercise and sleep: Implications for exercise adherence and sleep improvement. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4341978/ That delicious sleepy feeling after exercise can help you wind down far enough to get some hearty sleep. But it can also help you relax in the meantime.

11. Get more done Feeling uninspired in the cubicle? The solution might be just a short walk or jog away. Research suggests that workers who take time for regular exercise are more productive and have more energy than their more sedentary peers. von Thiele Schwarz U, et al. (2011). Employee self-rated productivity and objective organizational production levels: Effects of worksite health interventions involving reduced work hours and physical exercise. DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0b013e31822589c2 While busy schedules can make it tough to squeeze in a gym session in the middle of the day, some experts believe that midday is the ideal time for a workout due to the body’s circadian rhythms.

12. Tap into creativity Most people follow a tough workout with a hot shower, but maybe we should be breaking out the colored pencils instead. (Showering in paint, however, is inadvisable.) A heart-pumping gym session can boost creativity and spontaneous thinking. Rominger C, et al. (2019). Creative challenge: Regular exercising moderates the association between task-related heart rate variability changes and individual differences in originality. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220205 We can safely assume Vin Diesel worked out for his “Fast and Furious” roles after the scripts were written. You can supercharge that post-workout inspiration by exercising outdoors (see benefit #4). Atchley RA, et al. (2012). Creativity in the wild: Improving creative reasoning through immersion in natural settings. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051474 Next time you need a burst of creative thinking, hit the trails for a long walk or run to refresh your body and brain at the same time. Sitting at home, slouched over a keyboard, may not be the answer.

13. Inspire others Whether it’s a pick-up game of soccer, a group class at the gym, or just a run with a friend, exercise rarely happens in a bubble. And that’s good news for all of us. Studies show that most people perform better during aerobic tests when paired with a workout buddy. Irwin BC, et al. (2012). Aerobic exercise is promoted when individual performance affects the group: A test of the Kohler Motivation Gain Effect. DOI: 10.1007/s12160-012-9367-4 It could be the result of inspiration or good old-fashioned competition — nobody wants to let the other person down. In fact, being part of a team is so powerful that it can actually increase athletes’ tolerance for pain. Cohen EEA, et al. (2010). Rowers’ high: Behavioural synchrony is correlated with elevated pain thresholds. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2009.0670 Even fitness beginners can inspire each other to push harder during a sweat session. Feltz DL, et al. (2012). Two-player partnered exergame for obesity prevention: Using discrepancy in players’ abilities as a strategy to motivate physical activity. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3440153/ Find yourself a workout buddy and motivate each other!