THE POSITIVE RIPPLE OF EXERCISE ON MENTAL HEALTH -

The Positive Ripple of Exercise on Mental Health

Rytlife
Charu Lavania & Neethu Prakashan

Highlights

The interplay between exercise and mental health is a fascinating and vital topic. Research reveals that physical activity goes beyond enhancing physical fitness, playing a significant role in mental well-being. This relationship is underpinned by complex physiological mechanisms, including the release of endorphins and the impact on neurotransmitters, which influence mood states like anxiety and depression. Additionally, exercise offers psychological benefits, such as providing a distraction from stressors and boosting self-esteem. This multifaceted impact of exercise on mental health is not only intriguing but also crucial for developing strategies for mental health treatment and prevention, highlighting the importance of integrating physical activity into daily life for holistic well-being.

Studies have consistently shown that exercise affects mood states such as anxiety, stress, and depression through various physiological and biochemical pathways. Notable among these are the endorphins (Fuss et al., 2015) , mitochondria (Aguiar et al., 2014) mammalian target of rapamycin (Woo et al., 2016), neurotransmitters, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (Sun et al., 2017). These elements play a crucial role in regulating mood and emotional states. Moreover, exercise is known to reduce inflammation, which is often linked with mood disorders, thereby contributing to better health outcomes. Additionally, as your heart starts to pump faster during exercise, it increases the oxygen supply to your brain. This results in certain changes to the blood vessels of your brain, promoting potential improvements in executive function, which includes working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control (Kleinloog et al., 2019).

AI OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE, INCLUDING CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING, ASSESSMENT, TREATMENT, SELF-CARE, AD RESEARCH.

The benefits of exercise are not solely physiological. Psychological mechanisms also play a significant role. The distraction hypothesis suggests that engaging in physical activity diverts attention from stressors, providing a mental break (Bharke, 1978). Additionally, the self-efficacy hypothesis indicates that successfully engaging in exercise enhances one’s belief in their abilities, improving self-esteem and overall mental well-being (Middelkamp et al., 2017). Physical fitness and healthy lifestyle have long been linked to positive self-esteem, and those with strong self-esteem are less likely to succumb to depressive behaviour (Chen et al., 2015).

Study has shown that just 20–40 minutes of aerobic exercise can improve anxiety and mood for several hours, although people suffering from acute anxiety have been shown to respond better than those suffering from chronic anxiety (Sa, 2000). In addition, physical activity tends to occur less in people who suffer from depression and the mental health benefits of exercise are more pronounced in people suffering from anxiety and depression compared to those that do not (Wegner et al., 2014). Consistency in exercise may also contribute to better health outcomes. Several waves of the longitudinal study on ageing in Taiwan from 1996 to 2007 were looked at retrospectively. The results showed that regular exercise, even if it was only for 15 minutes, three times a week, significantly reduced the risk of depressive symptoms (Chang et al., 2017).

The evidence is clear: exercise is a powerful tool for enhancing mental health. From physiological and biochemical changes to psychological benefits, the positive effects of physical activity on our mental state are vast and varied. This understanding not only underscores the importance of regular exercise for mental well-being but also opens avenues for integrating physical activity into mental health treatment and prevention strategies.

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References

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