Working out can bring you a myriad of benefits whether you do it once in a while or are a regular gym goer. Of course, if you work out more often, you are more likely to see consistent benefits from working out. For instance, if you are working out to lose weight by working out, you won’t see significant weight loss unless you work out regularly.

Weight loss isn’t the only reason you should work out, though. You will also find that working out can help you think more clearly and concentrate better.

Exercise Can Improve Mood

If you have ever tried to work or study when you are in a bad mood, you can know how hard it can be to keep focused. Luckily, exercise can help to increase your mood and keep you at a place where it is easier to concentrate.

Exercise can be helpful even in conditions such as depression. The link here is believed to be caused by exercise being linked with serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that is closely linked with mood. A higher production of it includes benefits such as lifted depression and lessen anxiety.

In addition, exercise can help to produce natural endorphins which are general mood boosters.

Stress is another mood that can hinder you from getting things done. After all, if you are burnt out, it can be harder to focus on what you need to get done. However, working out can be a great stress reliever both because of the endorphins it releases and the fact that the activity itself can be a great outlet.

Exercise Makes You Feel More Productive

Another factor that can make you feel more focused is that working out can help you feel more productive. This is because when you work out, you are setting a task for yourself and completing it. This is why you go to the gym and typically leave feeling accomplished.

Exercise Can Help Your Sleep Cycle

It can be hard to concentrate if you are half asleep at work or during a lecture. That’s why it’s lucky that exercise can help your sleep cycle. This can make falling asleep at night and getting up in the morning a little easier. Additionally, it can help you to stay awake during the day.

For one, exercise can help you by wearing you out. Just like if you do a hard day’s work, you are more likely to be sleepy when night rolls around if you have worked out that day. Don’t work out right before bed, though, as it can make you feel amped up and will inhibit you from falling asleep.

Exercise can also help you stay asleep. When you exercise more, you are more likely to spend more time in deep sleep stages of your sleep cycle while you’re in bed. This is what gives you a more refreshed, rested feeling when you wake up the next morning.

Certain studies have also shown that exercise can help with the management of sleep disorders. If you have insomnia or sleep apnea, for instance, you might find some relief in adding working out to your regular routine.

Exercise Can Help Your Memory

There are certain types of exercise that have certain effects on the brain. For instance, aerobic exercise is best for the hippocampus area of your brain. In fact, it has been shown that this part of the brain grows the more that you work out.

The hippocampus is the part of the brain that is focused on memory and learning. This means that as it grows, you will better be able to obtain and recall information. This will help you when you are working and studying. Some studies also suggest that regular exercises have a better impact on your brain than memory supplements and vitamins.  Popular “memory-boosting” supplements may cause unwanted side effects or even placebo effect. By working out regularly and maintaining a healthy weight, you can help reduce your risk of dementia.

Guest Blogger

Annabelle Short can be reached at craftwithannabelle@gmail.com