WHY IS WORKOUT (OR JUST MOVEMENT) SUCH A MOOD BOOSTER?

"Work out and you'll feel better."

"Get out of bed and go for a jog; you'll feel good."

"Yoga improves your mental health."

These are some sentences that we commonly hear when people around us see us rotting in bed, or when we are in a bad mood, or even when we're going through something.

Now, there is nothing new when we say that moving our bodies can help us get in a good mood. In fact, even if you hate working out, you will still feel better (and kinda proud) after you finish sweating yourself out.

But have you ever wondered why? Read ahead to find out. 

"I started working out when I was going through a breakup, and since then, I've been regularly working on my body," says Sanjana Agarwal (name changed as per request), a 22-year-old MBA student from New Delhi.

Sanjana says that even though there were days when she dreaded the idea of getting out of bed and moving her body, eventually, that "one hour of working out" would actually make her feel better.

Sanjana is not the only one. Many people who now take working out seriously, started it when they wanted to make serious changes in their lifestyle for health purposes, or were going through something that made them want to work on their physical health to improve their mental health.

So, clearly, there is a connection between your mental and physical health. 

What research says 

In fact, research shows the same. Let's look at some of them: 

1. A January 2023 study by the Department of Psychiatry at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College of Studies, New Delhi shows that exercise is good for mental health. 

• It improves mood, self-esteem, and reduces stress. 
• "When we exercise, our bodies release feel-good chemicals like opioids and endocannabinoids, improving pleasure, reducing anxiety, aiding sleep, and dulling pain," says the study.  
• Exercise boosts attention, memory, and decision-making for a few hours.
• It also regulates hormones like cortisol, leptin, and ghrelin, crucial for mental well-being.
• Even short bouts help, according to the study. 

2. Another study by the University of South Australia, released on February 23, 2023, states that exercise can be a mainstay approach for managing depression. 

• It shows that physical activity is 1.5 times more effective than counselling or the leading medications.
• The largest benefits of working out were seen among people with depression, pregnant and postpartum women, and people diagnosed with HIV or kidney disease, according to this study. 

Experts agree

"On days when I do not feel like getting myself to move, taking a walk or a training session helps me improve my mood, and it makes me feel better. I feel more energetic, positive and confident. Although it might seem difficult at first, getting started slowly, can change that, and make you feel glad you did it," says Spoorthi S, a fitness expert at Cult.

Spoorthi, who began working out over 25 years ago to get stronger, soon realised its benefits not only for her body but also for her mental health.

Drisha Dey, a consultant psychologist from Kolkata, explains why moving or working out is so beneficial for us. She says individuals who lead an active lifestyle experience better mental health and emotional well-being. 

She further elaborates that moving one's body releases endorphins and helps relieve stress. 

"It allows emotions to move through our bodies and to release them," Drisha adds. 

Dr Mehezabin Dordi, a clinical psychologist from Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, agrees, "Exercise also promotes the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which are involved in regulating mood, motivation, and attention." 

Other benefits of working out for your brain

Dr Dordi gives us a list of benefits that you can get for your brain while working out. Here are some: 

• Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, delivering oxygen and nutrients essential for optimal cognitive function. 
• Regular exercise has been shown to stimulate the production of neurotrophic factors, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which promotes the growth and survival of neurons, leading to improved learning, memory, and overall cognitive performance.
• Furthermore, she explains that exercise enhances neuroplasticity, i.e., the brain's ability to adapt and reorganise itself in response to new experiences or changes in the environment. 
• "This is crucial for maintaining cognitive flexibility, resilience, and the ability to cope with stressors," Dr Dordi adds.

To sum up

Moving our body on days when we don't feel particularly good allows us to come back and focus on the present moment.

It helps feel connected with one's body and the release of endorphins relieves stress and therefore allows one to feel better. 

So, the next time you're having a bad day, try moving your body, lifting weights, doing Pilates or yoga, whatever makes you feel better.

2024-03-15T12:36:27Z dg43tfdfdgfd