Gyms are more popular than ever before. As more people work out to lose weight, increasing numbers are using search terms like “buy steroids Canada” to help them build their dream body, and at the same time, an increasing number of gyms and fitness centres are opening up all over the world.
While yes, getting that gym bod is essential as we approach the summer months, can going to the gym offer us something beyond the mere aesthetic? Can going to the gym actually help our mental and emotional health? Let’s find out.
How does exercise affect the brain?
When we think of exercise and going to the gym, we immediately think of the visual effects it will have on our bodies. Losing weight, and building tone and muscle are aesthetic effects that are the most obvious, and often the most desirable effects of going to the gym.
However, exercise affects our brain as much as it does our body. Studies have revealed that exercise can improve our mental health and alleviate the symptoms of conditions such as anxiety and depression. It’s thought that this effect is caused by the fact that physical activity increases blood flow to and circulation in the brain, which in turn stimulates something called the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This helps the brain better manage feelings like stress and can significantly improve our mental state.
Exercise has been proven to help reduce the symptoms of certain mental health conditions, but it has also been linked to general mental health and well-being benefits, including better sleep, mood improvements, and improved alertness.
Body image
Exercise has proven benefits for our mental health, as a result of the physiological effects it has on our brains. However, going to the gym can also improve our emotional health, as it can directly influence our body image and how we perceive ourselves.
Body image can have a direct impact on our mental and emotional well-being. How we perceive ourselves and how we believe others perceive us is incredibly powerful and can have long-lasting effects on our self-esteem.
Going to the gym and following a workout routine can help us get fit and lose weight. This can be extremely beneficial for those suffering from body image-related issues, it can help them feel more comfortable in the skin they are in, and their emotional state will continue to improve as their fitness journey continues.
Why is mental health important?
In the past, mental health wasn’t really considered a viable health concern. However, as science has continued to develop, we’re becoming more and more aware of just how crucial mental health is and the range of effects it can have.
Staying healthy should be your number one priority, and this shouldn’t start and end with physical fitness. Keeping your mental health in check is essential, and one of the best ways to do this is by going to the gym.
Takeaway
Can going to the gym improve your mental health? The answer is a resounding yes. Not only does exercise help our brains function properly, but it can also improve our emotional well-being by alleviating body image issues.
Jordan Wayne, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
