There are many reasons why people choose to exercise, with the obvious reason being for their physical health. But did you know that exercise can also have benefits for your mental health? Whether you want to boost your mood, or you’re suffering from some mild anxiety and depression (the common cold of mental health), exercise has numerous benefits that extend beyond the realm of the physical. Here at Umax Fitness, today we’re going to discuss the importance of mental health in the current climate of the pandemic, how exercise benefits your mental health, as well as looking at its role in forming good habits.

Mental Health and The Pandemic

Human beings are social creatures, which is part of the reason why the current pandemic can impact on our mental health. It is a unique and strange situation, that our brain is forced to adapt to, despite the abnormality of the circumstances. Many people are isolated and miss face-to-face human contact, not to mention the absence of gyms and exercise classes that many have already learnt to rely on to help with their mental health and wellbeing. Not everyone is stuck indoors, but those that are may be furloughed and lacking purpose and direction, or worse, they may have lost their job completely, or their business and livelihood may not have survived. Worse still, many have lost loved ones and are grieving for people without the arms of their family around. Added to that, those who are working may be under more stress and pressure than usual, and there may be a fear of the virus. A lot of what has been mentioned is breeding ground for stress, anxiety and depression.

How Exercise Benefits Your Mental Health

During the first national lockdown in the UK, many found solace with long walks. The weather was kind to us for the most part, and many people became more connected with nature and discovered new local parks. However, the current national lockdown has continued through the depths of winter, with cold weather and windy, rainy days. Walking is good for both your mental and physical health, but it is also important to vary the kind of physical activity you do. At Umax Fitness, we can help you develop a personalised plan to balance different types of exercise: aerobic, strength training, flexibility, and mobility. Exercise can benefit your mental health in terms of symptoms of anxiety, depression, as well as negative aspects of neurodivergent conditions such as ADHD, and experiences involving PTSD and trauma. The endorphins that are produced through exercise that boost mood are also linked to having a sharper memory and better focus, higher self-esteem, better sleep, more energy, stronger resilience and a better immune system.

Mental Health and Good Habits

Exercise can play a vital role in building good habits, whether you do sets of at-home strengthening exercises in the morning, have an afternoon dance, or go for an evening jog. By building exercise into a routine, it can help you to achieve what you want in the daytime, whether that means increased productivity at work, quicker reflexes when playing games, or taking selfies with a renewed sense of self-worth.

Contact Us

Whilst exercise can help alleviate some symptoms of anxiety and depression, it’s important to note that if you are suffering from severe mental health issues, you should consult your GP and seek additional help from qualified professionals. If you think exercise could help to boost your mood and have a positive impact on your overall mental wellbeing, please feel free to fill out our contact form or get in touch by calling us on 07508531855 to speak to us directly. We will be happy to answer any queries and concerns about how our personal training services can help you.