How exercise is brilliant for mental health
Head of Fitness at UFIT, Declan Halpin, shares the whelm of psychological benefits from a workout
Text: UFIT
credit: UFIT
The physiological benefits of exercise are clear and well documented: powerful heart, improved muscle tone, and stronger bones that all contribute to being healthier and avoiding illnesses well into your later years. But did you know just how much exercise supports mental health as well?
We ask Declan Halpin, Head of Fitness at UFIT, to elaborate on how a good sweaty workout can benefit our mental well-being.
credit: UFIT
How exactly does exercise support mental health?
1. Decreased stress
Feeling overwhelmed? Exercise can help you to moderate these feelings. When we exercise, it forces the body to moderate its own sympathetic and para-sympathetic nervous system, allowing neither to spiral out of control. This allows you to be more calm and settled, and approach life and any problems facing you with a clear head.
2. Feeling down or anxious
When we exercise we produce endorphins, the ‘feel good’ chemicals produced by the brain. In repeated studies, this has been shown to combat feelings of depression and anxiety, and is routinely prescribed for all patients reporting these symptoms. Even if you are not depressed, the rush of endorphins will have a hugely positive effect, and is one of the key reasons people return to exercise again and again - long before they notice any physical effects.
3. Better sleep
Sleep helps with all aspects of our health, including mental health. In fact, a lack of sleep is an early predictor of mental health issues such as depression. Exercise during the day plays a key role in maintaining your circadian rhythm, which in turn helps you fall asleep easier and sleep for longer. Magic!
4. Think more clearly
For those suffering from brain fog, exercise is a great way to improve cognitive function - helping you think more clearly, and manage the multiple tasks you need to face every day at home and at work. Multiple studies have shown this positive side effect of exercise, and this is why exercise should be seen as a priority of your work/school day, not a ‘nice to have’ if you have time.
The benefits of exercising with an expert or in a group class, versus solo
Human beings are social animals - designed to live in communities. It is one of the reasons why we’ve managed to stick around on this planet for so long. Therefore, it’s no surprise to find that studies have shown that those who exercise regularly as a group reported more emotional and psychological improvements than those who exercised for the same amount of time, but did so alone.
Why is this so? Apparently the body responds to this group activity by producing higher levels of serotonin and endorphins than it does when training alone - meaning you leave the session feeling happier, and with higher levels of connection with fellow exercisers.
Remember - this doesn’t mean exercising alone is bad! You still get all the same physiological benefits, and a good dose of psychological benefits. It’s just that group training will give you a higher emotional boost than training alone does, and for a lot of people this is important.
What does this mean for you? Try adding in at least one group training session a week to make sure you are still getting that sense of connection - especially during these strange Covid times!
Getting involved in group exercise sessions
credit: UFIT
UFIT offers a plethora of outdoor classes. They are known for building their community, creating a vibrant, supportive atmosphere, and allowing people to make social connections here in Singapore. They have eight class types to choose from which are located across Singapore — they cover everything from weight training and HIIT to cycling, swimming and general cardio. First timers get to try their first class for free - click here to try your first class!
Declan Halpin is the Head of Fitness at UFIT. With a background in high-level sports, physiotherapy and strength and conditioning, he leads the UFIT Fitness team to deliver high-quality services to clients. As the industry continues to evolve, Declan dedicates himself to learn and keep up with all health-, fitness- and wellness-related topics.
Click here for more information on UFIT.
