Exercise and Mental Health

By Kai

My name is Kai and I have experienced anxiety, like many other youth. 

With so many youth experiencing or even suffering with mental health difficulties, like anxiety and depression, due to various triggers and difficulties present in our world today, I believe an excellent coping method for mental health difficulties is activity. More specifically, exercise. I am aware that everyone is very different, but for me, exercise is the best method that I have used and continue to use to deal with anxiety or any stress in my life. 

Personally, it’s the sense of fulfillment that I’m doing something good for my physical health that helps me deal with stress and anxiety. Whether I’m training with weights, running, or doing yoga, I always feel less stressed, lighter, freer, and overall, better after. 

I understand that self-help can completely be different for everyone, and I’m not saying that exercise is the key to good mental health, but I am simply encouraging people to try it. All in all, I strongly believe that exercise can help in some way to improve mental health.