The Mental Benefits of Being Fit

①Exercise has obvious benefits to the teen body, but not all of them are physical. A teen goes through many changes in his or her body, brain and hormones（荷尔蒙）. A teen who exercises regularly can not only better his or her physical fitness, but also increase mental fitness and self-confidence.

②The teen years can be rather stressful. Keeping fit and physically active can help teens reduce their stress levels. Parents should support their teens and provide equipment, or even volunteer as exercise partners. Teens who can use physical activity to lower their stress establish a healthy coping mechanism（机制）for life.

③During the teen years, hormones are constantly changing. A teen’s mood can change with the wind. Exercise changes chemicals in the brain that control mood. Hormones released in the brain during activity increase happiness levels. A teen who exercises regularly will benefit from a healthy body and a more positive mood.

④Teens can struggle with self-confidence as they are trying to find their place in the world. Physical activity can increase a teen’s self-confidence. When a teen girl can look at herself in the mirror and like what she sees，she has greater self-confidence. Finding an activity he likes can draw a teen boy into a group that accepts and appreciates him.

⑤Exercise leads to an increase in brain function. Regular exercise increases math task skills and reasoning. Short-term memory is also increased with regular exercise. A teen who benefits from increased intellectual（智力的）skills due to regular exercise will do better in school.

Regular exercise benefits a teen_____.