The new year is here which means many people are hitting the gym to try to get in shape. While the overriding motivation for most is to lose weight or to fend off serious illness and disease, there are far more benefits to committing to a regular fitness program. In addition to all of the positive physical outcomes, there are also a wide array of benefits for your mental and emotional health when you work up a sweat.

Here are just a few of the many health advantages that you will enjoy if you commit to exercising consistently.

Boosts Learning Capabilities

Want to do better on an upcoming test? Consider grabbing a quick workout before you sit down to work your brain. Exercise has been shown to boost the level of brain chemicals that scientists refer to as growth factors. These factors make it easier to establish and maintain new connections between brain cells, facilitating learning along the way. You will see an even bigger increase in growth factors if you challenge yourself to a complicated exercise that relies on more refined coordination. Everyone will appreciate a boost in cognitive ability, particularly as you age.

Eases Depression

It has been known for years that regular exercise can help to lift depression. Exercise stimulates the prevalence of neurons in parts of the brain that have been previously damaged by depression. A good sweat session has been demonstrated to raise the levels of brain chemicals known as GABA and glutamate. Individuals struggling with depression have been found to be deficient in these two types of chemicals when measured on MRI imaging. By committing to a consistent exercise program, you may replenish these chemicals and help to reduce the symptoms of depression.

Mitigates Negative Effects of Stress

While a little bit of stress is actually healthy, too many stressors can send your mind into a tailspin. Moderate physical activity can go a long way in mitigating the negative effects of stress. Numerous studies have documented how regular exercise participants had shorter telomeres, the sections of DNA that signal cellular aging. The goal should be to reduce these signs of chromosomal aging, helping to reduce the effects that stress has on the body and mind. Working out consistently can also help to lower the tendency for people to relive stressful thoughts over and over, the process known as ruminating.

Encourages Fun

Exercise does not have to feel like a chore. By choosing an activity that you enjoy, this exercise can encourage fun. Choosing an exercise that brings you enjoyment will naturally lower stress levels and make you more receptive to being creative. This benefit is amplified if you participate in a group exercise. Fitness classes such as group dance, beach volleyball, or golf with others are good choices to boost your mood.

Improves Self-Esteem

It is no surprise to learn that fitness enthusiasts tend to report higher levels of self-esteem. Along with the physical benefits of exercise, working out also makes you feel better about yourself. This boost in self-esteem spills over to nearly all areas of life. You will feel better about your physical appearance while also feeling more confident to take on mental tasks. There is also the added bonus of newly gained confidence that comes with tackling a hard workout or mastering a physical activity.

Reduces Risk of Dementia

A sedentary lifestyle is a key risk factor of developing dementia. The Alzheimer's Research Center has said that exercise is one of the best tools in your arsenal in keeping dementia at bay. Physical activity has been shown to guard the brain's hippocampus, the area that protects memory and spatial navigation. Because the hippocampus is one of the first parts of the brain to fall victim to damage from the onset of Alzheimer's, it makes sense that protecting it through exercise is a prudent idea.

As if you needed any more reasons to get moving, this list should encourage you to make exercise a priority in your daily routine. Along with the vast physical benefits of exercise, your cognitive function and mood will also improve as a result of this commitment.