Introduction
According to Bharat Bhise, mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression have become a common occurrence in modern young adults. Nowadays, teens spend most of their time in the digital world where they are constantly bombarded with new information which causes information overload, and it has become difficult to maintain your privacy. One of the best ways to combat the effects of negative health disorders is to follow a consistent exercise routine.
The Exercises
Here are a few ways exercise can boost mental health in young adults:
- It releases feel-good chemicals – When you participate in intense exercise or training sessions, your brain releases a number of feel-good neurotransmitters such as endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. These natural chemicals protect your body from the negative impacts of stress and provide a boost in your mood.
In fact, endorphins are often called natural or endogenous opioids since they offer a sense of well-being. It is one of the neurotransmitters responsible for producing the ‘runner’s high’ that many athletes seek.
- It helps to reduce anxiety and depression – Depression and anxiety often occur due to certain chemical imbalances in your brain. When you exercise, your brain releases important neurotransmitters that are responsible for the proper functioning of the body and brain. Plus, it helps to naturally restore any chemical imbalance in the brain.
Thus, when you exercise consistently every day, it acts as a powerful antidepressant and antianxiety treatment that helps to reduce your stress levels, mitigate fatigue, and boost your mood. However, you don’t have to suffer from the numerous negative side effects associated with anti-depression and anxiety medications.
Not to mention, during your exercise sessions, you don’t have the option to think negative thoughts and or feel negative emotions since you have to focus fully on the rhythm of your breathing and your form.
- It helps to rewire your stress response – Whenever you exercise, you put every part of your body including the physical and mental system under immense load and psychological stress. The disruption in the state of homeostasis due to intentional stress helps you to suppress the sympathetic nervous system’s response to stressful events in the future.
In fact, regular exercise can rewire your response to stress by suppressing the response of the primitive, reactive amygdala and thus, allow you to remain more logical and level-headed during times of actual stress.
- It helps to improve self-esteem – Oftentimes, depression, anxiety, and other forms of mental disorders are linked to your self-esteem and how you view yourself. One of the biggest advantages of exercising regularly is that it allows you to improve your self-esteem and confidence.
Thus, it not only improves your physical health but also improves your perception of self and overall physical competence.
Conclusion
Bharat Bhise suggests you encourage your child to join a gym or sports club if you believe they are feeling down all the time. It can allow them to become more social and interact with other kids their age and participate in a fun activity. Plus, it would allow them to get fit and naturally improve their mental wellbeing.
