Boosting Mental Health Through Fitness

By Lauren Haag on 6 September 2011 - 1:01pm

“To keep the body in good health is a duty…otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” -- Buddha

This quote speaks to a larger “picture of health,” and how closely related our physical health is to our mental health. We’ve all heard the term “Mind-Body Connection. We tend to use it a lot in the health and fitness industry, but what does it mean?

Simply put, some say it refers to how your emotions can affect your health. In other words, it’s about using the power of your thoughts to positively affect your body’s physical responses, thus decreasing stress and (some say) illness. 

But this begs the question: how can one practice healthy Mind-Body Connection if they’re coping with some form of mental health issue? How does one harness the positive power of thought if they’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or even a negative self-image?

While mental health issues are best discussed with a physician, it’s important to know that you can play a major role in coping with them. More and more research is focusing on the impacts physical activity can have on depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) some studies have found that exercise boosts activity in the brain's frontal lobes and the hippocampus. Other studies have found that exercise increases levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) have been associated with elevated mood, and it is thought that antidepressant medications also work by boosting these chemicals. These chemicals seem to help brain cells survive longer, so this may also explain some of the beneficial effects of exercise on dementia. 

In addition to releasing these mood-boosting chemicals, exercise can provide the following mental health benefits:

  1. The temporary rise in your body temperature during exercise often produces a sense of well-being and has a calming affect that lasts long after your workout.
  2. Meeting exercise goals (even small ones) helps gain confidence!
  3. Exercise can take your mind off your worries and help stop the cycle of negative thinking.
  4. Exercise may increase positive social interaction, which can also elevate mood.
  5. Exercise gives you a productive, positive strategy for coping with stress, anxiety, or negative self-thoughts. Rather than turning to food or alcohol, this coping method will always leave you feeling proud that you’re taking care of your mental AND physical health.

Exercise, used in conjunction with your doctor’s advice and a strong support system can help keep your mental health in top-shape. This automatically makes making the “Mind-Body Connection” more attainable. 

Exertec can be your partner in fostering your overall wellness- mental and physical. If you’ve found great success with adding exercise to your life, let us know! We want to hear your story and could even feature you as a “Member of the Month.” We’re here to celebrate your successes with you, and we know that success doesn’t just come in the form of the number on the scale. 

Here’s to your mental health!