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5 Reasons Why Fitness And Mental Health Go Hand In Hand

Go Hand In Hand

Last updated on September 11th, 2023 at 03:56 pm

It’s important to understand the connection between physical health and mental health because they go hand in hand.

Are you concerned about the effect of stress on your body? Do you worry about your mental well-being? If yes, then you must go through this post. In this post, we discuss the effects of both physical and mental illness. Mental illness means our emotional status. Physical illness means our general physical conditions. Both these factors affect our lives greatly. Both physical and mental illnesses can cause serious problems for an individual. But if they are treated early enough, they can lead to complete recovery.

As technology continues to take up greater amounts of space in our daily routines, we’re becoming increasingly stressed out and depressed. A recent study by the University of Göttingen, Germany found that the more frequently we used laptops and smartphones, the worse off we were physically and mentally.

It is important that we understand the connection between mental and physical health, from the biological to the social level. However, what is most important is that we take action to improve our overall well-being. Therefore, it is essential that we actively seek out ways to improve our physical health. One of the best things we could do for ourselves would be to engage in regular physical activity.

The Connection Between Exercise and Mental Health

It has been shown that regular physical activity decreases anxiety and depression, improves symptoms of low self-confidence and social isolation, and increases blood flow to the brain which helps improve communication between our hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) system and the parts of the brain that control mood and behavior. 

What Happens Inside Our Brain When We Exercise

When we begin exercising, our brain perceives it as a stressful event that causes our brain to produce a chemical called BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which helps our brain cells grow stronger and protects them from damage. At the same time, our brain produces an enzyme called Endorphin, which counteracts the feeling of pain and increases our mood.

Your body produces endorphins after a workout, which makes you feel good. These endorphins help you cope with stress better. 

Exercise And Psychotherapy

Mental illness affects millions of people around the world each year, and although there are various treatments available, many people do not get the care they need. People who suffer from mental illnesses are less likely to receive regular checkups to ensure that they stay healthy. They are also less likely to be offered any kind of help improving their lifestyle habits, such as cutting down on drinking or changing their diets. However, both physical and mental aspects of our lives are equally important, so if you’re concerned about someone’s mental state, make sure to take steps to address their physical well-being too.

Prioritizing Physical Activity

Studies show that physical activity has both physical and mental benefits. It improves our health by releasing feel-good chemicals into the body, which helps us relax and reduces stress levels. And research indicates that regular physical activity increases our self-esteem and sense of happiness.Physical Health And Mental Health

5 reasons why fitness and mental health go hand in hand

  • Exercise helps us cope with stress by lowering our levels of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress. So if you feel anxious, opt instead to get up and go for a walk or jog. Studies have shown that walking can actually decrease feelings of stress.
  • Cardiovascular exercise helps in the formation of new neurons, enhances overall cognitive function and improves muscle strength. Weightlifting strengthens both your arms and your brains. It builds up your guns (muscle) and makes you feel better about yourself.
  • If you want to protect your mind against degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, scientists suggest that you start exercising at age 25. Regular physical activity boosts the level of chemicals called neurotrophic factors which help keep neurons healthy and strong.Neurotrophic factors improve the functioning of nerve cells and they may even slow down the progression of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Exercise helps prevent cognitive declines by promoting the creation of new cells in the hippocampus. Running sprints improves vocabulary retention.
  • Exercise has been shown to increase relaxation levels, which is why it’s so important for people who struggle with sleeping disorders. It can also help reset your circadian rhythms, which means it can be helpful for people who experience insomnia. And finally, it can boost your creative abilities.

Source & Credits:

https://www.femalefirst.co.uk/health/seven-reasons-why-fitness-and-mental-health-go-hand-in-hand-1229069.html

https://medium.com/live-your-life-on-purpose/how-mental-health-and-physical-health-go-hand-in-hand-can-help-you-live-a-better-life-383022b8444

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