Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct 4 - 10)

Jessica Nguyen, B.S. in Health Education

Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. However, mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends or coworkers. Despite mental illnesses’ reach and prevalence, stigma and misunderstanding are also, unfortunately, widespread.

Here at Swamp Fitness, our team focuses on the importance of whole health - including mental health fitness. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), exercise has been researched and validated for treating a variety of mental issues and mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, addictions, grief, relationship problems, dementia and personality disorders. It also has shown to alleviate symptoms such as moodiness, stress, and accompanying chronic diseases and illnesses.

Here are some ways exercising with our personal trainers can help your mental health.

Depression

Exercise can help depression by increasing endorphin levels or “happy hormones.” According to helpguide.org, “running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduces the risk of major depression by 26%.”

Anxiety and Stress

As mentioned, because of the endorphins released, exercise can help reduce anxiety and stress as well. HelpGuide.Org recommends to “Try to notice the sensation of your feet hitting the ground, for example, or the rhythm of your breathing, or the feeling of the wind on your skin. By adding this mindfulness element—really focusing on your body and how it feels as you exercise—you’ll not only improve your physical condition faster, but you may also be able to interrupt the flow of constant worries running through your head.”

PTSD and Trauma

Evidence suggests that by really focusing on your body and how it feels as you exercise, you can actually help your nervous system become “unstuck” and begin to move out of the immobilization stress response that characterizes PTSD or trauma (helpguide.org).

Other Health Benefits

  • Better sleep

  • Improved self-esteem

  • More energy

  • Strengthens memory

  • Promotes clearer and sharper thinking

Swamp Fitness