Vast research has explored this psychological component of exercise, and the pure volume of these non-physical benefits speaks for itself.
Perhaps the overriding psychological benefits are an improvement of quality of life and general wellbeing, which are, in turn, affected by a multitude of further benefits.
Exercise has the ability to improve mental performance, through improvements in perception, memory, functional capacity and academic performance.
It also affects our personality and behaviour, through improvements in mood, self-control, emotional stability, assertiveness and confidence.
An improved body image, along with increases in self esteem and self concept all increase our own perceptions of ourselves.
The true psychological benefits of exercise however, lie not in what exercise can improve, but in what it can reduce. Most notably, this includes long term and chronic psychological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, mental illness, depression, anxiety and psychotic behaviour.
On a shorter term, more acute emotional level, exercise leads to reductions in stress, anger, hostility, confusion and substance abuse. The stress reducing benefits of exercise occur through an increased hardiness and the ability to deal with stressful events. Finally, blurring the line between the psychological and the physical, exercise reduces muscular tension often caused by stress, and can aid in improving sleep patterns.
