Mental Health Week Part One

It's Mental Health Awareness week so I wanted to take an opportunity to talk about how exercise can help not just your body, but also your mind.

People who exercise feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives. Exercise is also a powerful medicine for many common mental health challenges such as: depression, anxiety, and stress.

A recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health showed that by running for 15 minutes (or walking for an hour) every day reduced the chance of major depression by 26%> Other research has shown that by undertaking regular exercise can also prevent people from relapsing back into depression.

Exercise has also been proven to be a natural and effective treatment for anxiety as it relieves tension and stress by boosting physical and mental energy through the release of endorphins.

As an experiment try this the next time you are exercising. Instead of zoning out between sets try to adopt a mindful approach to exercise. Really focus on what you are doing and how you are doing it. Evidence has shown that by undertaking a more mindful approach to exercise a greater amount of endorphins are released by the body helping to boost mood and feelings of well being.

As always if you have any questions about this or on how mental health can benefit your mental health, come and talk to me at the gym or DM me here.

Happy (and mindful) training!

Team NRG!

Write up credits to @doctor.dougie.does.wellness man of wisdom!