Everyone has heard this and have seen multiple reels of people saying that gym is the cure of all illnesses or that working out makes them happy. Although working out does indeed make you feel relieved and make you happy, we will be looking at some research articles.
Exercise is engaging in a short period of physical exertion that pushes every muscle and engages every possible organ to enhance performance and boost overall health. During the time you are engaging in this activity, the brain starts releasing feel-good chemicals as in endorphins and serotonin that automatically boost your mood. It is known that working out promotes distraction from negative thoughts.
Although it is effortless to begin working out to improve your mental health, starting intensely would prove to be negative. In brief, if the person on the first day of working out does intense activity it would lead to extreme exhaustion and ultimately low motivation (because of body ache). It is therefore suggested that you start small and then progress.
Influence of working out on your mental health:
● Depression - A research by Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health discovered that running for 15 minutes a day reduced the chances of depression by 26%. Exercise aids in changes in the brain as in neural growth, and endorphins.
● Improvement in resilience - A healthy way to cope with daily stress. From running to walking it keeps the body constantly active leading to the person becoming more resilient as they are known to boost the immune system.
● Improvement in sleep patterns - Due to the short bursts of energy during the morning or evening can regulate sleeping patterns. Relaxing exercises like yoga can help calm down the nerves leading to better recovery throughout the night.
Research study proving the positive benefits of working out:
This research study showed how different kinds of exercise as aerobic ones which included walking, swimming, and walking have proven to reduce anxiety and depression. This happens due to the blood circulation and due to the influence of the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis which controls the reactivity to stress. The limbic system controls the mood and motivation which is regulated due to the exercise.
There was a program where for 3 months schizophrenics engaged in physical conditioning where it was seen there was weight loss, reduction in bp levels, and increase in perceived energy. Even brisk walking for 30 minutes can prove to be beneficial.
Hence we conclude that working out doesn’t only have to be going to the gym. Basic exercise with a proper diet would immediately show results in overall health. Exercise isn’t to be regarded as a chore but as a way of life.
References
Sharma, A., Madaan, V., & Petty, F. D. (2006). Exercise for mental health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470658/
Healthdirect Australia. (2023, September 6). Exercise and mental health. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/exercise-and-mental-health#:~:text=Learn%20more%20here.-
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