You probably spend a lot of time thinking about the important things in life—how to get a better job, how to have more kids, how to spend your free time—but also trying to figure out what activities will help you get the most done. Reskilling can be a difficult concept for many people. After all, staying motivated isn’t something that just comes naturally to most of us. Instead, it may be one of the hardest things we do on a daily basis. If you’re not getting the results you want from your everyday activity choices (i.e., improving your mental health), chances are you’re not going to be able to keep them in check during the day. Fortunately, there is much more than just dancing and reading at night that can be done with minimal effort and positive consequences. Here are 6 ways exercise can help you improve your mental health status.

Exercise Can Improve Your Mental Health Status

Physical activity can improve your mental health. This is likely because it increases your capacity for empathy and self-compassion, which can all improve your quality of life. Numerous studies have shown that regular exercise (at least 30 minutes) is associated with a reduced risk of major depression and an increase in positive affect. Regular exercise could also improve your physical health, by allowing you to train your arms and legs to be more efficient at moving weight. Regular aerobic activity has also been shown to reduce anxiety and improve sleep.

Exercise Can Reduce Anxiety

As we mentioned above, regular exercise can increase your capacity for empathy and self-compassion. Given how important these feelings are for happiness and well-being, it’s not surprising that exercise could reduce anxiety.