Mental Health and Fitness Are Connected
April 18, 2022
Written By: Jackie, General ManagerI am sure you have heard it before that fitness is good for your physical health. But did you know that fitness can have an equal or more profound positive effect on your mental health as well? For many years the fitness industry has only focused on the physical aspects of fitness such as weight control, better energy, decreased risk of certain diseases, better blood pressure, and so forth.
The focus now is also brain health as well as body health!
The psychological benefits of exercise can include:
- easing symptoms of depression
- reducing anxiety
- improve self-esteem
- improve confidence in self
- feeling more energized and accomplished
- improved sense of satisfaction with oneself (just to name a few).
Exercise not only changes your BODY, it changes your MIND, your ATTITUDE, and your MOOD.
Even simple, moderate exercise throughout the week can produce feelings of happiness. Being active will release chemicals in the brain that make you feel good, boosting your self-esteem. Being active will also help you concentrate better and improve your sleep.
Finding an activity that you enjoy doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as going for a walk in your neighbourhood or local trail. The key is to find something that you enjoy and can give you a goal to aim for. If you can get outside and enjoy the outdoors a few times a week, this can have even more positive effects on your mental health. Connecting with nature and fresh air can give you a sense of peace and calmness that you would otherwise not find.
Fitness is not about being better than someone else…. It’s about being better than you used to be.
One of the things I find people use as a deterrent is that they choose not to make time for themselves, or they compare themselves to others. I get that!! I have been there and used this same excuse myself. One of the worst things you can do for yourself is to compare yourself to others.
The only person you need to do better than is YOURSELF! Once you understand this reasoning, the rest will fall right into place.
Your fitness is 100% mental! Your body won’t go, where your mind doesn’t push it!
Exercise has so many positive effects on the brain and these last couple of years have proven to be challenging, not only emotionally and physically, but more so mentally. A fitness routine has been found to reduce those feelings of anxiety, depression, and mood.
Having this routine in my life has made a world of difference. I know other members of our gym have also commented that if it wasn’t for maintaining their fitness routine (virtually or in-person), they would not have survived the emotional ups and downs with the pandemic.
Your body can do it. It’s time to convince your mind.
Cognitive functions have also been shown to improve with a fitness routine. As you begin to exercise, you increase your heart rate, which in turn pumps more oxygen to the brain. As you continue to exercise regularly you will begin to promote the growth of new brain cells, as you increase the blood flow to the brain. There has been a lot of research done on this topic, especially in the aging population who may suffer from some sort of cognitive impairment.
Exercise is the single best thing you can do for your brain in terms of mood, memory, and learning.
If you were to look around you and really focus on the people you see regularly participating in a fitness routine, you will notice that those same people show signs of better mental health and emotional well-being. They have a better outlook on the future, they are more alert and can concentrate better, and have a more positive outlook for the future.
The act of getting strong starts in your head.
I know it can be intimidating to start a fitness routine or exercising, but if you start building a plan to become active, you will have more success.
Choose an activity or activities that you enjoy and gradually build up from there!
Work with a coach if that holds you more accountable!
Exercise outdoors for increased stimulation and enthusiasm promoting self-esteem!
Most of all, plan to be active daily!
If you are struggling with starting a fitness routine, reach out to Degree Fitness to book a No Sweat Intro information session where an ideal plan can be customized for you!
Whatever your goals or aspirations are, we have the coaches that can help start your journey to better mental and physical health! Click HERE or email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com to get started!!
Written By: Coach Sienna Showing up for yourself is so important but its often overlooked and dismissed. Showing up for yourself isn't some cheesey, made up statement. There is meaning behind it and science! Showing up for yourself is an empowering practice that can transform the way you live, love and lead! BUT what does showing up for yourself actually mean? And why does it matter so much? S howing up for yourself is... Not Selfish You matter and you are important! Treat yourself as if you were a loved one. It means honoring your own needs, values and well being to achieve overall wellness. This means being consistent in the way you treat yourself, not just when it's convenient to you! It is…. Keeping your word to yourself and keeping those promises Choosing rest to prevent burnout It means giving yourself grace and speaking kindly to yourself (Its your first time living!) Prioritizing growth even if its uncomfortable Creating boundaries and sticking with them Say No when something doesn't align with you or your beliefs I t's about treating you like you are worth caring for not only when you have “deserved it” but because you are worth that care, always! Why does all of this matter? It strengthens your relationship with yourself Prevents you for burning or crashing out Builds self confidence as well as trust in yourself Helps you stay balanced emotionally and physically The more time you spend getting to know yourself you learn and discover hobbies! You learn that YOU CAN DO IT and that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS! You become more present for others! You are no longer pouring from an empty cup! What does this look like in real life? Drinking enough water even though you would rather skip it Going on a walk or doing meditation to have time for yourself to avoid crash out Keeping promises you said you would Letting go of perfection and simply doing the best that you can with what you've got S tart showing up for yourself today! Let yourself know that you've got you :) --- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!
Written By: Coach Kelly I’ve been exercising since high school... I don’t want to age myself tooooo much ;) but that was quite sometime ago. I meet with people all the time who are looking to get started. They are looking to lose weight, tone up, feel better, happier, increase bone density, do something for them, for various reasons. I’m going to give you two of the most important things that you need to do to make your fitness stick, through al season nd all set backs. Write these down, memorize them, and repeat them over and over. You’ll always succeed. Forget about motivation Seriously, forget it. Motivation comes after you get started. It comes when you start to see results; it comes when your pants fit different; it comes when you’re not out of breath going up stairs; it comes when you are running down the soccer field with your kids; it comes when you are happier; it comes when you feel less anxious, less depressed; it comes after you get started. Remember your why Why are you wanting to get started? Why do you want to spend money and time at a gym? Are you willing to do this for months, if not years? When your schedule gets busy, or your kids get sick, why will you keep coming to classes or appointments? You just need to get started, and you need to clearly understand why you are starting in the first place. After that, you must stick with it. Even when y you’re tired, when you’re frustrated, when you want to give up. Everyone wants the quick fix. We will spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on supplements that promise to help us lose weight, feel better, but honestly, nothing will compare to the eating some vegetables and getting in a structured workout with a Coach or at a gym 2 - 3 times per week. I know it’s hard. I know it’s hard. Like, I really, really know it’s hard. But, as you’re reading this, look way down the road, like 1 year, then 3, then 5 years. How do you want to feel? As hard as it is to get started, it will be even harder if you don’t do anything. You deserve to invest in yourself. You deserve to feel good. You have got this and we believe in you - Let’s go! ----- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!
Written By: Coach Kelly My gym ownership journey started in December of 2019. At the time I was managing the day to day Degree, coaching classes/appointments and running events/programs. The previous owner had some really exciting things coming up in her life that required big changes. One of them being handing over the keys to someone else. It was an immediate yes, and an absolute honour! Degree was originally founded as a place to workout with a group of like minded, amazing people. Using fitness as a vehicle for a better overall life (happier people, healthier people). I always believed int eh original mission, vision an values of Degree and they haven’t changed much over the years :) Fitness to me was a way to escape; I could move my body, stay strong and feel empowered when everything else around me felt like it was falling apart. I’ve continued to use fitness to improve my overall health and strength, and just like when I first started, to stay grounded when everything else feels shaky. Fitness to me, and at Degree, is more than muscles. It’s helping our clients have a safe space they can come, be themselves, and workout with their gym buddies. As they do this, the most amazing things happen, and it makes our hearts soar as you Coaches… We see you light up when you crush a hard workout, or do something you didn’t think you could do. When you share a bright spot and everyone in your class is genuinely happy and excited for you, too! When you start to realize, and believe , that you are whole heartedly capable of anything you put your mind to. That you are worth it; you always have been. Degree is the cornerstone of health and wellness, and we will always be here to help you, and our community live their happiest, and healthiest lives! ----- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!