Sweat It Out, Stress It Away: The Mental Health Perks of Joining a Gym
You already know that exercise is good for your body, increasing circulation and reducing overall body mass but did you know how good exercise is for your mental health? Exercise has myriad benefits for your mind, from improving sleep to helping you deal with anxiety and stress. Joining a gym has social benefits too, helping you to meet new people with similar interests. Osprey Leisure Club in Naas is the perfect place to start your fitness journey and improve your mental health. Check our website for more information on membership or speak to one of our team of professional trainers to get started.
Camaraderie
Exercise outside of a gym can be isolating. You’re so focused on yourself and likely have earphones in so you’re unlikely to meet anyone new or get chatting. By attending a gym regularly and being consistent with your timetable, you’re more likely to meet new people and start conversations. You can ask someone about their gym gear, about a new move you’ve never seen before or just chat about the weather; it's all easier to do with a familiar face. Attending classes can help you feel like you’re part of a community. Even if you don’t make friends right away, being outside and interacting with people will help you grow in confidence.
Endorphins
You’ve probably heard the saying ‘You never regret a workout’ and there is a reason for that. That post-gym ‘high’ you feel is endorphins – or happy hormones – floating around your body. These naturally produced chemicals react in the brain to reduce pain and increase pleasure, although they don’t last long enough to counteract the dreaded DOMs! Endorphins help to counter anxiety and depression and act as a natural medication. A recent study done by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduces the risk of major depression by 26%. It's important to acknowledge that exercise is not a cure for these issues but helps to ease the symptoms if done regularly.
Self-Esteem
Whether intentional or not, working out affects your body. You may lose weight, feel more toned or enjoy better muscle definition as a result of continuous and regular exercise. You’ll feel better in clothes and may become more confident in wearing bolder patterns or designsdesigns. These positive bodily changes will likely draw attention from peers who will compliment your new physique. As your self-esteem improves, you may find yourself more confident at work, in dating, in relationships and in social situations.
Better Sleep
Sleep is one of life's essential ingredients and the benefit of a good night's sleep cannot be overstated. Exercise can invigorate but also tire out your body and muscles. Regular exercise means you’ll likely have deeper and more undisturbed sleep more often. The quality of your sleep will improve allowing your body and mind to regenerate quicker. Good quality sleep is especially important to those living with mental health struggles like depression, insomnia, anxiety, and other disorders. Exercise is nature's alternative to sleeping medication.
Resilience
Exercise is hard work. If it's not, you’re probably not doing it right! Facing challenges in your workout routine can test your mental and physical strength. Exercise can help you build resilience to challenges in your everyday life which may be related to mental health, stress, addiction, or many other negative behaviours. Regular exercise can also help boost your immune system and make you more resilient to germs and viruses. Aerobic exercise that gets your heart rate up can be beneficial for stress resilience and slows down the ageing process, so you stay active for longer.
Osprey Leisure Club in Naas is the place to start your fitness journey and improve your mental health. We have membership options to suit everyone which include access to our swimming pool and thermal suites – the perfect place to unwind after a tough session. We tailor programmes to suit your wants and needs and offer private and semi-private training upon request. Contact one of our team In our leisure club in Naas to get started.