There is no way you can’t fit this into your routine. 

by Rachel Linder

We’re probably not the first to tell you that there are endless benefits to exercise on a consistent basis. Though the positives we might think of are often physical, such as helping with weight control or lowering the risk of health conditions, exercise is also essential when it comes to managing mental health. Not to mention, it can help with other components of your daily life that impact your mental health like enhancing mood or improving sleeping patterns. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, adding something like exercise into your routine could be intimidating— especially when you can really only reap the benefits if it’s done on a regular basis. Except, when it comes to bettering mental health through exercise, you may start to see a difference after just 10 minutes a day.

Let us explain. According to the Mayo Clinic, 30 minutes of exercise or more, for three to five days a week, will do the trick on a consistent basis when it comes to improving your mental health—but they also highlight that you can begin to see a positive change after just 10-15 minutes a day. Yep, you read that right. So hopefully now factoring in a regular workout may no longer seem as impossible as it once did.

Not only are we talking about a boost in mood, but exercise has also shown to have significant improvements in symptoms for those with diagnosed depression, anxiety and eating disorders, according to a study published in Clinical Psychology. Even though the prioritization of mental health is definitely more recent, doctors and psychologists have been researching the connection between mental health and exercise since the 1990s. So, what does that mean for you? It’s been studied, and it works.

As for what to try first, the Mayo Clinic has also found that those who do more rigorous forms of exercise, such as running or bicycling, could begin to see a boost in your mood and other mental health benefits sooner in comparison to someone doing a more low-intensity form of exercise, like yoga or walking. With that said, don’t overdo it. Find something that you enjoy doing and go with it. You’re definitely more likely to continue doing something if you like it, so no need to start spiriting or doing burpees—you won’t catch us doing those either.

The important takeaways? Do some form of moderate exercise for three to five days a week for anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes or even more if you have the time, and you’ll begin to see the positive impact that it has on your mental wellbeing. So take a look at your schedule, and see where you can fit that quick workout in.