Psychological Benefits of Exercise

The psychological benefits of exercise are well established and can be experienced over both the short and long term. Some of the known psychological benefits to exercise include improved mood, increased self-esteem, increased positive body image, better sleep, and decreased levels of depression and anxiety.

There is also growing evidence that physical activity of moderate intensity may be the most effective approach. In one study, aerobic exercise of moderate intensity improved self-perceptions of strength and muscular development and improved feelings of autonomy and well-being (Delextrat et al., 2016). Many of the psychological benefits from exercise are experienced together. For example, depression may improve along with better sleep and improved social interactions. In general, there is an association between being physically active and having a greater sense of well-being.

Conversely, sedentary behavior has been linked to an increase in depression. This relationship can be partially explained by sedentary people experiencing limitations with their movement, problems with sleep and low energy, some levels of pain and discomfort with movement, and higher levels of anxiety (Stubbs et al., 2018).

What is unclear is whether sedentary behavior leads to depression or does depression lead to sedentary behavior, which then ultimately leads to poor health.