The Connection Between Exercise and Mental Health
While there are many ways where sports can negatively affect mental health, it is also often seen as a way to boost an athlete’s mental health. In recent years, numerous studies have linked improved mental health as a result of people doing sports or exercise. This article will delve deeper into the many benefits of sports on mental health.
Exercise/Sports can…
Improve Mood
During exercise or physical activity, it has been shown that the brain releases the same endorphins associated with happiness, joy, and pleasure, such as dopamine and various other beta-endorphins. The release of these endorphins has even been shown to be able to alleviate depression and anxiety. Exercise has also been shown to improve sleep, leading to more restorative sleep and it may even enhance one’s mood in the morning.
Reduced Stress
When stressed, the brain releases hormones associated with stress such as cortisol and adrenaline. Physical activity stimulates the body to produce natural hormones to counteract the stress hormones, leading to reduced stress levels. In addition, whether it's going for a run, or practicing yoga, many people report exercise helps them clear their mind more effectively.
Increased Self-Confidence
Exercising can also help individuals increase their self-confidence after they complete the goals they have set for themselves, whether it be to look a certain way to impress their friends or setting a new personal record. As individuals begin to see improvements in their physical abilities, they may also have a new sense of pride in what they are capable of accomplishing.
Enhanced Cognitive Function
Physical activity has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, leading to improved concentration, memory, and faster cognitive processing. For example, in the sport of chess boxing, two competitors may compete in boxing for a certain amount of time before competing in chess afterward, in order to reap the benefits of exercise on the brain’s ability to think such as that in chess. Exercise has also been shown to promote the growth of new brain cells as well as strengthen neural connections, which may prevent in some cases dementia.
Social Interaction
Having the ability to participate in sports or group exercises can foster new social connections and strengthen existing ones, leading to a happier life by forging long-lasting friendships, as well as reducing feelings of isolation or loneliness and the feeling of being left out due to others being possibly better than you in sports. In addition to participating in a sport, it is also important to realize it is also possible for people to connect through sport without doing the sport themselves, whether it's through watching their favorite athlete or team perform, or by discussing their experiences and views on the sport itself.
Conclusion:
While there are many negatives to sports and exercising such as the stress to perform well or the stress to achieve an expectation that can negatively affect mental health. It is also important to remember that these can also be counteracted with many of the positive aspects of sport that can help improve mental health, supporting you to a more successful and healthy lifestyle.
Sources:
"Exercise Boosts Dopamine Release: This Requires BDNF." NYU Langone Health. NYU Langone Health, 2022, https://med.nyu.edu/departments-institutes/neuroscience/research/journal-club/journal-club-2022-articles/exercise-boosts-dopamine-release-this-requires-bdnf.
"Sports and Mental Health: The 10 Benefits of Athletics." Newport Academy. Newport Healthcare, n.d., https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/sports-and-mental-health/#:~:text=Here%20are%2010%20mental%20benefits%20of%20sports%20validated,stress%2C%20anxiety%2C%20depression%2C%20and%20suicidal%20behavior.%20More%20items.
"How Sports Can Positively Impact Mental and Physical Health." Olympics.com. International Olympic Committee, n.d., https://olympics.com/en/news/sport-positive-impact-mental-physical-health-benefits.
"The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise." WebMD. WebMD, n.d., https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/benefits-of-sports-for-mental-health.
"Physical Activity: Good for Mind and Body." health.gov. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2021, https://health.gov/news/202112/physical-activity-good-mind-and-body.