Every time you exercise, you’re not only becoming physically stronger, you’re also strengthening your mind.
Shapes fitness trainer Jodi Bodnarchuck explained why fitness can help people struggling with depression or anxiety in this episode of Get Fit Manitoba.
“Serotonin is a feel good chemical that’s released in your brain when you’re doing physical activity that helps you every day,” Bodnarchuck said. “Your moods change.”
“You’re feeling better around family and friends and you’re able to deal with situations much better.”
Bodnarchuck also said she sees a huge difference with people feeling more confident when they start exercising because their moods improve.
“70 years olds, after coming to the gym, can go up the stairs better, bend down and pick up their grandchild and not have any physical aches or pains that go with it,” she said.
“Realizing they’re able to do things they thought they’d never be able to do.”
Bodnarchuck recommends starting with light activity to avoid burnout, and thinking of exercise as play time that will help you have more energy.
“This is your adult playground, when we’re children we play all the time and are happy and feel great, but we don’t realize it’s actually the physical part that’s making us feel that way.”