One of the best ways to support your mental health is through fitness. Whether you stretch, pump iron, run on a treadmill, or take a walk around the block, just about any movement will help your outlook.
Physical Activity Can Create a Healthy Outlook
Over 40 million adults experience some type of anxiety disorder, but only about a third receive professional treatment. Fortunately, there are things you can do for yourself.
Published studies overwhelmingly indicate that exercise and physical activity benefit mental health. That’s because exercise releases endorphins, that feel-good chemical in your brain, which help improve your mood.
Exercise and Anxiety
Activity can be a natural and effective anti-anxiety treatment. Harvard University researchers asked, “can working out help with anxiety and depression?” Their published research confirms that whether you run or walk, you can reduce the risk of major mental health symptoms.
Exercise and Stress
You may wonder, “does working out help with stress?” The simple answer is “absolutely!” Exercise helps to relieve tension and relax the muscles in the body. Since the body and mind are so closely linked, when your body feels better, so will your mind.
It Doesn’t Stop There
Working out can still enhance your mood, outlook, and mental well-being, even if you’re not suffering from mental health issues.
Exercise provides the following:
- Better sleep patterns. If you have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, exercise may help. Additionally, a good night’s rest helps you manage your mood and support your mental outlook.
- Sharper memory. Movement matters when it comes to overall brain health. Both aerobic and strength training are effective strategies to help counteract cognitive disorders. Plus, science has shown us that low physical activity is associated with an increased risk for dementia.
- Higher self-esteem and confidence. Achieving your fitness goals over and over again will see your self-assurance and self-worth skyrocket. Regular exercise often leads to an improved body image at any (and every) age.
- Cardiovascular health. Since 1950, heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S., and one of the top causes is inactivity. To support this fact, multiple studies confirm that exercise helps reduce heart and stroke risk factors, including hypertension.
- More energy. When you’re tired, depressed, or stressed, working out isn’t something you’re thinking about doing. However, the truth is that physical activity is a powerful energizer and a great option to support your mental health.
Why Boot Camp Should Be Your First Choice
International scientific evidence reveals that there is a relationship between physical and mental health, especially with structured exercise and different types of fitness. In addition, higher-intensity movement, like the type of training at a boot camp, is more beneficial than lower-intensity routines.
Structured workouts and different workouts are precisely what boot camps offer, and no one does it better than Fit Body Boot Camp (FBBC).
Why Choose Fit Body Boot Camp
Our boot camp sessions at FBBC include cardiovascular, strength, endurance, and flexibility drills combined with active rest for optimum mental and physical results.
At FBBC, we offer the following:
- Professional Support and Experience. A certified coach leads every Fit Body Boot Camp session to ensure you get the best workout and burn fat while keeping you safe and injury-free.
- Result-Oriented. Our coach-led signature 30-minute Afterburn workouts combine High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with Active Rest Training to burn twice the calories in half the time. This process will keep your metabolism running at a higher rate for up to 36 hours post-workout.
- Variety. Fun body fat-burning and toning workouts with no intimidating equipment.
- Inclusive. We understand that it may be challenging to start exercising if you haven’t done it in a while. Our training sessions at Fit Body Boot Camp are ideal for all fitness levels to help you get started and, more importantly, stick with them.
- Positive Community. Exercising with others who share your goals will not only make exercising more fun, motivational, and enjoyable. You’ll feel better than if you were exercising alone. When you’re suffering from a mood disorder, companionship can be just as important as exercise.
The Bottom Line
Although not a cure-all, there is no doubt that exercise directly contributes to improved mental health and better overall well-being.
Our FBBC team works to support your efforts toward a more positive perspective and mental health. Visit your local Fit Body Boot Camp today and take advantage of our offer for FREE Fat-Burning Workouts to get you started.
Contact us now and join us in result-focused full-body workouts for your mind, body, and soul.