Why Exercise Is Usually a Healthy Coping Mechanism: 1. It Regulates, Not Suppresses, Emotion Unlike unhealthy coping mechanisms (like drinking, binge-eating, or avoidance), exercise doesn’t numb your feelings — it regulates them. It burns off excess stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline and increases natural mood boosters like endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. 2. It Creates a Physiological “Reset” When you’re anxious or overwhelmed, your nervous system is stuck in a sympathetic (fight/flight) state. Movement — especially rhythmic or aerobic — helps bring you back to a parasympathetic (rest/digest) state where healing and clear thinking happen. 3. It Channels Energy Constructively Strong emotions often come with surges of physical energy (tight chest, racing heart). Exercise gives that energy somewhere healthy to go instead of letting it build up destructively (like panic attacks, anger outbursts, etc.). 4. It Strengthens Your Identity of Agency Every time you move your body intentionally, you reinforce the belief that you can take action to influence your mental state. This builds self-efficacy, which is crucial for mental resilience. 5. It’s Linked to Long-Term Brain Health Regular exercise grows your hippocampus (memory and mood center) and strengthens neuroplasticity (your brain’s ability to adapt and recover). So while it’s helping you now, it’s also setting you up for future emotional regulation. #mentalhealthhelp #mentalhealthawarenessmonth