The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted mental health globally. Anxiety and depression increased 25% in the first full year after the pandemic.
Mental health awareness is on the rise as well, and the link between mental health and physical health.
Physical activity releases chemicals that improve mood, self-esteem and concentration. It also helps with sleep, wellbeing, and better sleep.
Physical activity has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Regular physical activity can also help prevent noncommunicable illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
World Mental Health Day is 10 October. We encourage everyone to be active. Whether through daily household chores, social activities like dancing, playing, walking, biking, or sport, regular physical activity improves our lives in all areas. It benefits all ages – young children, older adults – and every move counts.
BENEFITS OF EXERCISE: 6 REASONS TO GET FIT
1. Exercise and depression
Exercise can be as effective as antidepressants in treating mild to moderate depression, but without the side effects. A recent study by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, researchers found that walking or running 15 minutes per day can reduce the risk of major depressive disorder by 26%. Exercise can also help you avoid a relapse.
Exercise can be a powerful tool in fighting depression for several reasons. It promotes many changes in the mind, such as neural growth, reduced swelling, and new patterns of activity that promote feelings calm and wellbeing. Exercise releases powerful chemicals called endorphins in the brain, which energize you and make you happy. Exercise can be a great distraction to help you find quiet time and break the negative cycle that causes depression.
2. BUILD STRENGTH
Exercise is a great way to build muscle. It makes you stronger, which comes in handy when you have to carry the groceries home. You also look toned.
Research has shown that even two sessions of strength training per week, whether you are lifting weights or using your own body weight, can increase your metabolism. You’ll be able to burn fat even while you are resting. By increasing bone density and staving off osteoporosis, resistance exercises can also prevent the disease. A UCLA study found that having more muscle leads to a longer life.
Strength training is good for you! Unfortunately, we begin to lose muscle mass as soon as we reach our 30s. So, you’d better dust off your dumbbells. If you’re looking for a new gear, check out our top picks for dumbbells designed for women.
3. Exercise and anxiety
Exercise is an effective and natural anti-anxiety remedy. Exercise relieves stress and tension, increases physical and mental energy and improves your well-being by releasing endorphins. You can benefit from anything that gets you moving, but you will get more benefit if your focus is on the activity instead of drifting off.
You can try to focus on the sensations of your feet touching the ground or your breathing rhythm, or even the feel of the wind against your skin. This mindfulness component, which involves focusing on how your body feels while you exercise, will not only help you improve your physical condition but also interrupt the constant flow of worries in your mind.
4. INCREASE ENERGY
Medical evidence shows that it is possible to feel less fatigued by slipping out of bed and heading to a spinning class. Physical activity increases the production of mitochondria, which is the powerhouse in your cells. This boosts your energy.
Working out increases your oxygen circulation which allows you to use more energy. This will in turn make you more likely to attend that HIIT class
5. Exercise and ADHD
Regular exercise is the most effective way to improve mood, concentration, motivation and memory. Physical activity boosts brain levels of dopamine and serotonin, which are all important for attention and focus. Exercise works similarly to ADHD medications like Ritalin or Adderall.
6. Protects overall health
There’s another reason to keep working out at the top of your list. It is, however, perhaps the most important.
Sedentary living is not healthy. It’s even worse, increasing your risk of all types of deaths, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, colon cancer, and high blood pressure.
Staying active, on the other hand, will reduce your risk. A 2021 University of Oxford Study found that its positive impact, for instance, was not limited. What are you waiting to do? !
