Physical fitness should always take priority over mental fitness. With a plethora of media surrounding the importance of mental health in our society, the significance of physical health is often overshadowed.

While mental health is an essential aspect of increasing overall quality of life, physical health provides a way to reap the benefits of being physically fit while simultaneously strengthening one’s mental health. According to Harvard Health Publishing, which cites an analysis from the British Journal of Sports Medicine, yoga, alongside other mind-body exercises, has been shown to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety. This is due to the unique combination of elements of physical exercise and meditation practices. Resistance training was also shown to help with symptoms of depression.

This research was conducted over 1,000 trials with a total of 128,119 adult participants. Those who engaged in physical activity had greater improvements in mild to moderate depression than those who were inactive.

Additional studies have shown physical fitness to greatly decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety. The National Library of Medicine’s PubMed Central states that when compared to no intervention and normal care studies, the effect of exercise on uni-polar depression was a noteworthy amount.

This also highlights the ability to save time by choosing to engage in physical activity. If someone only has the means to develop either mental or physical health, both goals are attainable when pouring effort into physical fitness.

Moreover, physical activity can be performed in both individual and group settings, making it a way to combat the “loneliness epidemic” that the Surgeon General described. Taking a group dance class, attending an exercise group, or joining a recreational soccer league are all examples of fitness activities that can help the public develop their mental health through exercise and counter feelings of isolation.

“Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling — it harms both individual and societal health,” said Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy. “It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and premature death.”

Although physical fitness can improve one’s mental health, it plays a significant role in maintaining the body’s overall health.

Think of an average daily routine; walking to a car or a bus, carrying groceries, cleaning the house and paying attention in daily conversations wouldn’t be possible if our bodies weren’t fit enough to handle these situations. Physical activity increases our attention spans, strengthens our bones and muscles as well as improves our sleep. Physical activity is also known to lower the risk of heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. This is because it strengthens cardiac function. It also improves the immune system and regulates the hormone system.

Therefore, physical fitness is the path toward achieving both mental and physical well-being.

Physical strength contributes to the outside of you, but what’s the point of looking good if you lack that feeling on the inside? Mental fitness strengthens resilience, mental clarity and satisfaction with yourself. These are things that help with decision making, stress relief and a long-term healthy mental state. Motivation is essential to becoming physically fit, so before beginning to strengthen your body, you must first evaluate and strengthen your mind.

There’s no doubt that physical fitness is related to energy, longevity and a strengthened immune system. However, physical strength often declines as you age. Being mentally fit can carry you further, improving overall quality of life.It reduces the probability of developing dementia, unhealthy coping habits and improper stress correction.

According to the National Library of Medicine, a long-term study conducted following 469 people aged 75 or older, concluded that those who regularly exercise their minds by

The study’s lead author, Dr. Joe Verghese of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, said that “cognitive activity may stave off dementia by increasing a person’s ‘cognitive reserve.’” Cognitive reserve is defined as the ability to resist cognitive decline, basically your brain’s ability to adapt to challenges such as disease, aging or stress, rather than falling victim to them.

Practicing mental fitness is not about taking IQ tests, constantly being positive or lacking mental health issues — it’s about training your mind to deal with hardship, stress, anxiety or depression. Mental fitness can be promoted by the simplest of things: breathing exercises, reading, critical thinking, journaling, meditation and so much more.

Think of your body as a car, and your mind is the driver. Without a good driver, any car — no matter how fast or advanced — can’t operate correctly.

Without resilience, forming new habits can be tough, especially one as much of a commitment as exercising.

For teenagers, high school years can be overflowing with pressure from all directions: social situations to homework to future plans. Knowing how to deal with and manage stress is a crucial piece of adolescent development. According to Laurence Steinberg, a leading expert in the study of adolescent development, your brain is in its most neuroplastic state during your teenage years; consequently, building mental fitness during this period is imperative. Neuroplasticity is your brain’s ability to respond and adapt to experiences — meaning it learns from your mistakes. The ages of 0-20 are categorized as the “critical period” for brain development. The strategies and mindsets you build will carry into adulthood, allowing you to be a clear-minded individual when you utilize healthy coping strategies.

Physical exercise is undeniably important to contribute to one’s well-being and peace of mind, but it all starts with a healthy mind.