Exercise isn’t always about losing weight or getting fit for an event. Feeling strong and mobile to live your life the way you want to with physical ease is another. And for a lot of us, it’s about mental health. Dealing with stress is just easier when you are regularly exercising. But don’t take my word for it! A recent study shows that exercise is better than anti-depressants for treating depression.
Add to that, exercising within a friendly and supportive community and you have a much better way to cope.
During the worst of the Covid pandemic we frequently had bootcampers coming back too early from covid because they needed to exercise for their mental health. However they hadn’t recovered sufficiently physically and found they had to take a break again. Trying to work out when you are ready to resume exercise after illness is sometimes tricky but Covid takes it to another level for some people, (not all). I did a blog about recovering from injury and the Supercompensation model/returning post Covid if you want more information.
Back to Mental Health and Exercise
Even before I became a personal trainer I knew that I coped with the stresses of work way better when I was regularly exercising. Now studies have shown that exercise increases serotonin (has an antidepressant effect) and happy hormones (endorphins) which can reduce pain. It can also affect your brain size! Yes, exercise is associated with a larger hippocampus which is important for emotional behaviour among others like learning and memory. Exercise can also reduce inflammation, a bonus as we age and hit perimenopause. Also, exercise affects how our bodies deal with cortisol (stress hormone) which could be a reason why we are less stressed or anxious when we are fit and healthy.
This is why I also try to make the workouts fun, it’s not always good to have a beasting. Especially if you are already stressed due to lack of sleep, work, menopause, life!
Yes, some workouts are tough but others are easier and more of a laugh. It’s about getting movement regularly, that you want to do, in an atmosphere of fun and community with like minded ladies. If you dread it, you will find reasons not to go. If you have FOMO , you will attend more consistently and that will give better results, no matter what your goal is. Ease of movement, feeling strong, building strong bones and muscle for later life, better mental health, stress release or all of the above!
EXERCISE IS MEDICINE, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL