Mental Health Benefits of Exercise
Mental Health Benefits of Exercise
Mental Health Benefits of Exercise
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua
Mental health disorders are a serious problem in the United States today. According to Mental Health America, 19.86 percent of Americans suffer from mental health disorders, which is equivalent to nearly 50 million people.
Many people with a mental health disorder take medication to help alleviate their symptoms; however, some people don't receive treatment because they don't want to admit there is a problem or don't realize there is a problem. These people often self-medicate with drugs and alcohol.
If you suffer from any mental health disorder, you should start a regular exercise regimen. According to the U.S. Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, aerobic exercise, swimming, jogging, walking, and cycling can help reduce the symptoms of mental health disorders.
There are several ways regular exercise can improve your mental health.
#1 Helps With Depression
Depression is a severe condition and causes feelings of sadness and worthlessness. In addition, depression makes it challenging to enjoy things you once did and can lead to thoughts of suicide.
According to the World Health Organization, at its worst, depression can lead to suicide. Over 700,000 people die every year due to suicide, and many of these cases are a result of untreated depression.
Harvard T.H. Chan School Of Public Health performed a study that shows that physical activity can help prevent depression, even if you have a genetic predisposition for depression. The study found that 15 minutes of running or an hour of walking each day can reduce your risk of a major depressive episode by 26 percent. In some cases, regular exercise can be as effective as antidepressants.
Regular exercise affects the way your brain works by helping with neural growth and can reduce inflammation. And exercise produces endorphins, which help you feel happy and calm.
#2 Helps With Anxiety
Anxiety is a common mental health condition in America. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, over 40 million adults in the United States have an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety can range from mild to severe and causes anxiousness, a feeling of fear and doom, and, in extreme cases, anxiety causes panic attacks.
According to studies published by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, one vigorous exercise session can alleviate anxiety symptoms for hours. If you exercise regularly, it can have a long-term effect on your anxiety symptoms.
A regular exercise regimen relieves tension and stress and boosts your mental energy. Exercise also releases endorphins, making you feel happier and calmer.
#3 Helps With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a relatively common condition and is caused by significant trauma. Attack victims, military personnel, and anyone who has gone through a traumatic event are at risk.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, six of every ten men and five of every ten women will experience at least one significant trauma in their lives, which can lead to PTSD.
This condition causes various symptoms, including anxiety, depression, a feeling of fear and doom, nightmares, and irritability. People with severe PTSD have flashbacks of the traumatic event.
The most common treatment for PTSD is medication, cognitive therapy, and talk therapy. According to a study performed by the University Of New Mexico, exercise can also help with PTSD. The study showed that low to moderate intensity workouts could elevate your mood, reduce anxiety, act as a stress buffer, and is an excellent addition to your PTSD treatment plan.
#4 Other Mental Health Benefits
If you haven't been diagnosed with a medical condition, regular exercise can boost your mental health and stave off anxiety and depression. Creating a regular exercise regimen can help improve the following.
Higher self-esteem: Self-esteem issues can cause depression, a feeling of weakness, and low self-worth. If you’re overweight or obese, regular exercise can help you lose weight and feel better about yourself. In addition, reaching your exercise goals will help you feel stronger.
Better Sleep: According to the Cleveland Clinic, sleep deprivation can cause health issues, such as high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke. In addition, depression can occur if you don't get enough sleep. If you have trouble sleeping, exercising daily can help. Regular workouts and even short bursts of exercise can help regulate your sleep patterns, preventing medical and mental health issues.
Increased Energy: According to the Mayo Clinic, fatigue and low energy are often related to depression. If you have no energy and often feel tired, you’ll want to spend most of your time in bed and can fall deeper and deeper into depression. Fortunately, regular exercise can help improve your energy level. Increasing your heart rate several times a week will give you more energy, so you no longer feel the need to stay in bed all day.
Reduce Your Stress Level: For most people, stress is unavoidable. Some people are stressed at work, home, taking care of their families, and anything they find overwhelming. The best treatment for stress is exercise. According to Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School, regular aerobic exercise can bring on changes in your body that can help you relax and stay calm, reducing your anxiety level. Exercise reduces stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, and releases endorphins, making you feel happy. If you feel overly stressed, a 30-minute workout can significantly reduce your stress.
Your mental health should be a top priority. Mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety can affect your life and overall well-being. Fortunately, exercise can help reduce the symptoms of these conditions and can also improve your sleep, self-esteem, improve your energy and reduce your stress level, all of which can boost your mental health. If you haven't started working out for your body, you should start for the sake of your mental health.
An exercise is a form of physical stress, and Alexander Pope believed this as well when he said, "Strength of mind is exercise, not rest. Plato agreed when he said, "Exercise would cure a guilty conscience.
If you start a regular workout regimen today, you can feel the effects immediately and in the long term.
Sources
Mental Health America - Prevalence Of Mental Illness 2021
Sunshine Behavioral Health - Drug Rehab in Austin, Texas
U.S. Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health - Exercise For Mental Health
World Health Organization (WHO) - Depression
Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health - New Evidence That Physical Activity Can Lower Depression Risk
National Alliance of Mental Illness - Anxiety Disorders
University Of New Mexico - PTSD & Exercise: What Every Exercise Professional Should Know
Livestrong - How Does Exercise Help Your Self Esteem
Cleveland Clinic - Here's What Happens When You Don't Get Enough Sleep (And How Much You Need a Nig
Mayo Clinic - Fatigue
Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School - Exercising To Relax: How Does Exercising Reduce Stress?
Facts & Statistics | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA
Dr. Arturo Osorio
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua
Comments
Post a Comment