exercise and mental health
A Catalyst for Change.
So where does exercise and fitness come into all of this, how can a few push ups and sit ups help the way I'm feeling? When you exercise, you provide a jolt to the brain's reward centers. This is the system of the brain that helps you anticipate pleasure, feel motivated and maintain hope. Pushing yourself physically, even for short periods of time, allows brief moment of relief from the negative thoughts. It is the catalyst the spark, that will re-ignite your passion for life.
It doesn't take much at the beginning of your journey either, light workouts with just your body weight are more than enough to stimulate your body and mind. Whenever you're contracting your muscles, your body releases key proteins into the blood stream and make their way to the brain, producing dopamine and reducing stress levels. The harder you work, the more of these proteins are released. Scientists have fondly named these proteins the "hope molecule", a name fitting for their nature. After a hard work out, things that seemed impossible earlier that day, become a walk in the park. You feel incredible, unstoppable. Anxiety fades and confidence grows. Maybe you should apply for that job after all, or ask for that promotion you know you deserve! For some it may be something as "simple" as taking a walk outside that day or talking to a stranger at the gym.
One day at a time, exercising will open up doors in your own mind that you forgot you even had the key to. Seeing yourself grow and progress physically can allow you to do so mentally, giving you the confidence to open up to friends and family about how you're feeling. Meet new people and form friendships. We can't promise that these feelings will go away forever, but we can help you build the strength necessary to deal with them and maintain a healthier mindset more consistently. For some, there will always be dark days once in a while, it's our job to help you recognize the triggers and attack those days. All while connecting you to a supporting network of peers.
You are not alone, we need you to know that however far you have drifted from your path, there is always a way back.
Take back the life that you deserve.
Please take a look below, we have listed several studies on exercise and it's effects on mental health.
