Anxiety, depression and high stress are experienced by many mums. As a busy and tired mum, exercising might feel like the last thing you would want to do, but once you start, you’ll notice the difference! And the adrenalin rush will set you up for the rest of your day.
Exercising is obviously good for your body but did you know exercising has many health implications for your brain?
If you’re not sleeping through the night due to kids or you’re stressed out by the end of the day, here’s five reasons why heading out for a walk will make you feel better.
5 reasons why exercise is good for your overall wellbeing
1) Manages stress
There is no doubt that mum life can be stressful. The best thing you can do for yourselves as a mum is some exercise.
When you exercise, endorphins are released in your brain. These chemicals trigger a positive feeling in your body which will make you feel less stressed and boost your mood. Exercising also helps to get rid of cortisol and adrenaline, hormones released when you’re tired and stressed.
2) Bye Bye emotional eating
No one knows more about emotional eating than a mum. As a mum, you often feel emotional, tired, stressed and overworked. This is where emotional eating comes into play.
Stress hormones are partly responsible for making you crave high carb, sugary and fatty foods. When you’re overtired or upset, chances are you may feel a strong desire to reach for the junk food. By forcing yourself to head out for a quick walk, you will be metabolising those stress hormones. This will trick your brain into getting rid of those unhealthy cravings.
3) Exercise makes you happier
Exercise has repeatedly been proven to make you happier in the short and long term, therefore, as a mum exercise is very important.
A recent study looked at the link between activity levels and happiness. This study found that those who stayed active over the years were happier than those whose activity levels varied. Being happier and less stressed can help you to shrug off and manage better the little things kids may do that can get under your skin.
4) Improves self-esteem
The perception of yourself is extremely important in leading healthy lives. Stress and low self-esteem can create unhealthy behaviours such as emotional eating or binging. This can be where the mental benefits of exercise can come into play. As your self-esteem improves, you’ll find yourself feeling more confident and happier.
5) Exercise increases willpower
As a mum, we constantly put everyone and everything else before ourselves, and sometimes it’s just too hard to resist those Tim-Tams for that quick sugar rush, especially when you’re tired, stressed and hungry. Through regular exercise, you can change and improve your self-control and these Tim-Tams become less of a threat.
Exercise has a massive positive impact on your mental health and well-being. The type of exercise you do doesn’t have to be an intense and long session, it could just be a short brisk walk and you will start to notice the positive outcomes! You’ll stop unhealthy lifestyle patterns, set better examples for your kids and be better equipped to deal with the beast that is motherhood!
One of our very lovely mums, Kerrie O’Brien, from The Healthy Mummy Over 45s support group inspired us with these words,
“I feel so much better now. Try to think of your workout as something that you get to do and not something you have to do. If you find an exercise you love you are much more likely to want to do it.
Exercise should make you feel good not be a chore.
What exercise did you get done today to make you feel good?”
Here are some exercises that are designed by The Healthy Mummy just for you.
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