Most Americans love to exercise and to do other physical activities to make themselves physically fit especially during the pandemic. Exercising in many forms has been proved to be effective in maintaining physical health that also boosts the immune system. Not only the physical aspect of our body is taken care of but exercising also affects our mental health.
The pandemic has wreaked havoc on every aspect of our lives such as physical, social, financial, and mental health. The loss of loved ones during the pandemic and unemployment made many people hopeless, emotionally distressed, and confused that mental health is adversely affected.
Through studies conducted about mental health, it is found that mental health is one of the main issues of public health.
As such, health experts and practitioners are working on and finding solutions to reduce the problems on mental health with the pandemic as one of the causes of mental disorders.
A study on the effect of exercise on mental health indicated that “psychologists have identified a role for the reduction and treatment in mental health is exercise. Researchers found a strong link between exercise and mental health and mental disorder there” ( Kenari, M.A. (2014).
There are other studies that show doing exercises or other physical activities is advantageous for mental health. Clearly defining mental health, “ According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can make a contribution to his or her community” (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4471980).
With this clear definition, mental health can be achieved if a person can cope and work efficiently with the stressors around him.
If not, stressors such as severe emotional problems may possibly cause mental disorders that may lead to more serious problems.
Some examples of mental illness or disorders are anxiety disorders, paranoia, depression, and eating disorders, among others. These are brought about by problems confronting an individual that it was not possible for him to cope with those problems in life.
Given these examples of adverse effects of the inability to cope with stressors, it is best to prevent it before it happens to us. It goes with the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
As exercise is directly related to mental health, it is best to do those exercises at home or in the office when time allows us. However, it is ideal to exercise regularly for optimum results.
Some of the indoor exercises are :
- Stationary biking
- Yoga
- Treadmill
- Dumbbell rows
- Lunges
- Squats
- Pushups
Outdoor exercises may also be done even during the pandemic when you do it in an isolated location, meaning it is not crowded with people. These are some of them:
- Swimming
- Basketball
- Hiking
- Running
- Inline skating
- Rock climbing
- Sailing
- Whitewater rafting
There are also some reasons why physical exercise is good for mental health (https://www.helpguide.org/).
- Based on research, exercise can “treat mild to moderate depression.” It enhances changes in the brain including new activity patterns that promote calm and wellbeing. Exercise also serves as a distraction from negative thoughts that may trigger depression.
- A natural and effective anxiety treatment, exercise relieves tension and stress, enhances physical and mental strength as well as improves wellbeing "through the release of endorphins."
- Exercises help to relax the muscles and relieve tension in the body. Since the body and mind are so closely linked, when your body feels better so, too, will your mind.
- Provides sharper memory and thinking
- It promotes high self-esteem
- It also promotes better sleep and increases energy
- When confronted with mental or emotional challenges in life, exercise can help promote resilience to cope in a positive way.
- Exercise done regularly can also "boost the immune system and reduce the impact of stress."
- Regular exercise reduces the symptoms of ADHD and improves concentration, motivation, memory, and mood. Physical activity immediately boosts the brain’s dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels—all of which affect focus and attention.
Some people may find it hard to squeeze in their regular exercise schedule due to work and other personal matters that they attend to. Lack of time can be solved by having your own exercise machine or equipment that you could use at home or in the office.
At Flexispot where the physical fitness and wellbeing of consumers are a priority, you can find a fitness machine tailored fit to your lifestyle. One of them is the AB Foldable Rowing LCL that has awesome features you may be interested in.
This machine has a rowing and abdominal mode which makes it a powerful workout machine for both men and women. It has a large LCD monitor that displays time, total count, and calories for your reference. Safe footing is ensured with the non-slip foot pedals and large velcro straps during intense workouts
The rowing mode has two (2) adjustable resistance levels to suit your demanding workouts. The double dynamic handles allow for more exercises to tone your body
This rowing machine is also an AB and core machine with a soft and comfortable knee cushion with double orientation (front and back). The handles are ergonomically made with armrests made of soft leather. The pulley set is quieter and smoother to use.
This exercise machine is truly worth the purchase as it is packed with all the features to make the body fit without fat. Why not visit the website for more details about this wonderful product. There are other ergonomic products that you want to see and purchase for your home and office.
Mental health and exercise go hand in hand. As such, if one is absent, the other cannot function well. You can prevent mental health disorders that could lead to serious issues when regular exercise is not included in your physical health regimen.
After all, physical and mental health are the top priorities these days due to the pandemic.
