Weekly Newsletter:

July 22, 2026

We all have been told at one point or another that we should exercise, that it’s good for us. Many of us understand that exercise is good for our physical health, but we aren’t often told the benefits to our mental health. Some people come to find this benefit on their own; they feel better emotionally after exercising, but why?

Exercising supports positive mental health in several ways:

1. Happy Brain Chemicals/Emotional Regulation: Exercising triggers the brain to release “happy” chemicals like dopamine and serotonin that can provide an overall mood boost. This can help maintain an overall stable emotional state and allow you to manage difficult emotions more effectively.
2. Stress Relief: Exercising increases the production of endorphins in the brain. Endorphins help reduce stress and generally improve well-being. Exercise can also function as a healthy coping distraction from stress.
3. Improved Cognitive Function: Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which can contribute to overall brain health improvement, including the growth of new brain cells. Improved brain health can contribute to improved memory, better focus, and increased problem-solving skills.
4. Enhances Sleep: Exercising regularly improves both sleep quality and duration by making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Improved sleep quality allows the brain to rest and recover, contributing to generally improved mental health.
5. Promotes Sense of Achievement: Achieving exercise goals can help you feel a sense of accomplishment in achieving a goal. Whether it’s lifting more weights, running further or faster, or completing a hike, achieving a personal goal is almost always a mental health boost.

With the overwhelming benefits of exercise, finding how exercise fits into your life may be something to consider, even with a busy lifestyle. As mentioned in previous articles, taking care of your mental health can help give you the capacity to better navigate the complicated day-to-day of being a caregiver. Engaging in exercise is self-care, mental wellness, and physical wellness wrapped into one! So how can you fit exercise into your already busy day?

It’s important to note that exercise can look like so many different things; it doesn’t have to be running a mile, lifting insane weights, or spending two hours on the stair master. Something as simple as a 10 minute walk a couple times a week will provide a benefit. There’s several videos online of various exercise programs. You can search for ones that meet your needs based on physical ability, intensity, duration, and more. For example, if you have arthritis you may search online for arthritis friendly workouts and find something that works for you while minimizing your pain, like chair yoga! There’s so many ways to engage in physical activity in a way that meets your needs so that exercise can feel fun and accessible.

You can also get creative with your exercise! Walking a few extra laps around the grocery store, dancing around the house while you clean, or walking in place while you wash the dishes can all count as exercise. Consider finding a workout buddy, or calling a friend while you both walk at the same time. Having someone to hold you accountable to your goals can make them much easier to achieve.

Exercise doesn’t have to feel daunting. Take a look at your daily routine and see where you can get creative building exercise into your day, even if just a couple times a week. Any work you put into yourself can only produce a benefit!

— Jayde Hart, B.A.

Memory Care Program Coordinator at DayBreak

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