Time is running out, our 10% OFF sale! Code: WELCOME10

April 6th, 2023

Maintaining good physical health is essential to living a healthy and happy life. However, people often overlook the benefits that exercise and meditation can have on their mental health. Research shows that oxygenating the blood through regular exercise and meditation can positively impact mental health and well-being.

Exercise has long been known to have numerous physical health benefits, including weight management, improved cardiovascular health, and reduced risk of chronic diseases. However, research also suggests that exercise has a significant impact on mental health. Exercise can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve self-esteem, and increase overall well-being.

One study conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that regular exercise can reduce the risk of developing depression by up to 17%. The study also found that people who exercised regularly had lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.

Exercise increases the release of endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that help to reduce pain and increase feelings of pleasure. It also stimulates the production of serotonin, a chemical in the brain that is responsible for regulating mood, appetite, and sleep. Exercise also increases the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is a protein that helps to promote the growth and survival of neurons in the brain.

Meditation is another activity that can help improve mental health. Meditation involves focusing the mind on a particular object or thought to achieve a state of relaxation and calmness. Regular meditation has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.

Research suggests that meditation can increase the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that helps to reduce anxiety and promote feelings of calmness. A study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that people who practiced mindfulness meditation had increased grey matter in the brain, particularly in areas associated with emotional regulation and self-control.

Exercise and meditation both have one thing in common - they help to oxygenate the blood. Oxygen is essential for the brain to function correctly, and insufficient oxygen levels can lead to cognitive impairment and mental health problems. Exercise and meditation increase blood flow to the brain, delivering much-needed oxygen and nutrients to the cells.

A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that regular aerobic exercise can improve cognitive function and reduce symptoms of depression in people with major depressive disorder. The study found that participants who engaged in regular aerobic exercise had improved cognitive function, as well as reduced symptoms of depression.

In conclusion, regular exercise and meditation can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being. Exercise and meditation both help to oxygenate the blood, which is essential for the brain to function correctly. Exercise increases the release of endorphins and stimulates the production of serotonin and BDNF, which all contribute to improved mental health. Meditation increases GABA production and promotes emotional regulation and self-control. Medical research has supported the positive impact that exercise and meditation have on mental health, and it is essential to incorporate these activities into our daily routines to improve our overall well-being.

1. Exercise and Mental Health:

• Physical activity and mental health: a population-based study in Canada, published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2732256/
• Exercise and the Prevention of Depression: Results of the HUNT Cohort Study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28135846/
• Exercise for mental health, published in the BMJ: https://www.bmj.com/content/352/bmj.i851

2. Meditation and Mental Health:

• The underlying anatomical correlates of long-term meditation: Larger hippocampal and frontal volumes of gray matter, published in the NeuroImage: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3004979/
• Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis, published in the JAMA Internal Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4142584/
• Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) modulators for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7595183/

3. Oxygenating the Blood and Mental Health:

• The effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive and neural decline in aging and cardiovascular disease, published in the Current Geriatrics Reports: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7148341/
• Exercise and the Treatment of Depression: A Review of the Exercise Program Variables, published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC474733/
• Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and exercise in fibromyalgia syndrome patients: A mini review, published in the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5069544/

Written by Rob Shockey