Fitness is a great outlet to relieve stress and in fact there are many people that have turned to working out as way to not only get fit, but to get rid of anxiety and depression. This is because exercise has many health benefits, especially when it comes to the everyday worries associated with mental health.
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Massy Arias is a Dominican personal-trainer that used to suffer from severe depression. She was a victim of domestic violence, had a brother battling cancer, and a genetic disposition, which was too much for her to handle. She used her time at the gym as a way to forget about everything that was going on in her life and it completely changed her state of mind. After sharing a photo on Instagram of her toned abs, the Dominican was praised by many and she was asked what she was doing to get those killer abs. That’s when she started doing research and what eventually led her to become a certified trainer and become the social media star that has helped so many with her 30-day fat loss challenge. She now goes by Mankofit and working out has helped her reach goals that she only dreamt of because working out has not only made her strong physically, but mentally as well.
What Are the Benefits?
Exercise has a long list of benefits, but when it comes to your mental health the benefits go beyond simply making you feel good. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(SAMHSA), eating a healthy diet, avoiding the use of drugs and alcohol and getting regular exercise can reduce stress and anxiety. Simple activities, such as taking a walk, stretching, and deep breathing can help alleviate stress.
Studies show that exercise can treat mild to moderate depression and even act as an effective antidepressant medication, without the side-effects. Exercise promotes many changes to your brain, such as neural growth, reduces inflammation, and new activity patterns promote feelings of calmness because when you exercise you release endorphins, which make you feel good.
Exercise can also distract you from your everyday worries and make you feel happy. It relieves tension and stress, boosts mental and physical energy, switching your focus away from your anxiety. Even patients with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) have benefited from exercise. Focusing on your body and how it feels when you exercise can help your nervous system away from the immobilization stress that comes with PTSD.
Other mental and emotional benefits of exercise include a sharper memory and thinking, higher self-esteem, better sleep, more energy, and stronger resilience when you are faced with mental or emotional challenges.
So get moving if you suffer from mental illness! For more information visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at www.SAMHSA.gov.