Levels of anxiety, depression, and hopeless have been steadily rising for years. In 2011, 28% of high school students experienced “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.” By 2021, that rate had risen 42%. Among the broader population, about 10% of Americans were being treated for depression in 2015. By 2023, that rate had risen to 17.8%.

There are many things we can do to enhance our psychological well-being. Of them, I bug my loved ones the most when I talk about exercise. We all know that exercise provides benefits for our hearts, muscles, bones, blood pressure, and balance. However, physical movement is also one of the best things we can do for our psychological well-being.

Roughly 2,400 years ago, Hippocrates is purported to have said, "If you are in a bad mood go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood, go for another walk.” Scientists like John Ratey have since confirmed that exercise promotes the release of important neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which are crucial for mood regulation, focus, and overall cognitive function. When we move our bodies in dance or play, these and other chemical processes are triggered to boost brain health, enhancing learning, memory, mood, and stress reduction.........

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