By Dr. Gbonjubola Abiri
A common activity currently taking the world by storm appears to be exercise. People worldwide engage in it for various reasons ranging from fitness and physical health, to connection and community, lifestyle and identity, as well as aesthetic goals and enjoyment.
While the physical health benefits are more pronounced and include boosting energy, improving fitness, managing weight and preventing illness, exercise also helps in supporting our mental well-being.
Quite often as a mental health professional, my patients ask for the ‘one thing’ they can do to feel better mentally. While there is no bespoke tool, a well proven method which is accessible and effective is exercise.
Exercise has been reported by numerous research studies to support mental health and well-being as it:
- Reduces stress by reducing cortisol levels as well as helping the body in its recovery from stress
- Enhances mood as it helps in the release of endorphins ‘the feel good hormones’ which promote feelings of calm and happiness
- Manages anxiety and depression by stimulating the production of chemical neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.
- Improves sleep quality and quantity of sleep by regulating the body’s internal clock as well as enhances self-esteem as feeling and looking good can boost our goals of confidence.
In addition to improving major brain functions, exercise is known to support our social functions of creating community and connections as exercise done in groups offer a sense of belonging and purposeful human interaction. Cognitively, exercise supports with sharpening focus, improving concentration and reducing cognitive decline.
When most people think about exercise, their thoughts revolve largely around having a very strict routine that involves going to the gym everyday. They also complain of a lack of time, low motivation, a fear of being judged and the huge cost. These factors often deter them from committing to the process as they believe it is difficult and unsustainable. Exercise however doesn’t have to be herculean to be effective as the success of exercise is dependent on its consistency, regular timing and matching your exercise to your goal. While it may look tempting to follow the crowd and take on intense workout routines, engaging in simple, regular and moderate exercise such as brisk walking, dancing, active house cleaning, gardening, cycling, tennis and swimming also play their own role.
I encourage you to decide today to engage in exercise. Your mind and body will thank you.
Remember, there is no health without mental health.