Dubai (Etihad)
Regular exercise, which is encouraged by the Dubai Fitness Challenge, by practicing 30 minutes of physical activity daily for 30 days, contributes to significantly reducing stress and feeling comfortable, which contributes to creating a happier and more vibrant society. On the occasion of Mental Health Awareness Month, Scott Armstrong, a mental health expert and founder of “mentl space”, a platform specializing in mental health consultations, reviews how the Dubai Fitness Challenge supports mental health.
According to the book “The Anatomy of Anxiety” by Ellen Vora, who holds a doctorate in medicine, our physical health is closely linked to our feelings, and maintaining a healthy body is an important key to achieving mental health. Studies have repeatedly proven that physical activity improves the overall mood of individuals of all ages, and the good news is that any simple exercise such as walking for 30 minutes can have a noticeable positive effect.
Committing to daily exercise contributes to enhancing one’s self-confidence before starting it, as it is considered a wonderful fuel for improving the psychological state.
What is encouraging is that exercise does not always require great effort to have an effect. Studies have shown that focusing on body functions while engaging in activities such as deep breathing or meditation can improve blood flow and relax muscles, which helps achieve a state of relaxation and enhances mental health.
Science explains the physical and psychological benefits
Many have experienced that wonderful feeling after running, or leaving a sports class, and they are charged with the energy of endorphins known as the happiness hormone, but what are the scientific foundations that explain this magical effect that we call movement?
Exercising regularly has a positive effect on a person’s psychological health, by enhancing the performance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), which is a system consisting of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands, and has an essential role in regulating the body’s reaction to psychological stress, mood, and immune functions. , digestion, energy balance, and the sleep-wake cycle.
Physical exercise helps the body deal with stress more effectively and reduces hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. In other words, exercise helps train this axis to work more efficiently, which helps manage stress better and enhances overall health.
A balm to soothe mental tension
Practicing physical exercise helps train our bodies to adapt to the challenges that occur in situations of stress or anxiety, and makes them better able to deal with the physical symptoms associated with emotions. Regular exercise that raises the heart rate helps relieve anxiety by making the body less responsive to stressful situations. People who suffer from anxiety can improve their ability to deal with feelings of fear, such as a racing heart, by exercising regularly.
A fitness boost and networking opportunity
When you exercise with a friend, the atmosphere is interactive, promotes commitment to continue, and also brings other benefits. Research indicates that engaging in sports activity with another person can enhance self-esteem. This does not mean complex exercises. Simple sports activities such as bending the arms can have a positive effect. A study has shown that consistent group exercise enhances feelings of sociability and strengthens bonds between people, which increases their feelings of happiness – which explains why people from different cultures have long sought to share experiences through group celebrations, movement activities, and diverse events.
Improving health and well-being
The positive feelings gained from exercising act as a powerful impetus to continually continue a new fitness routine, as improved mood leads to a more optimistic outlook and greater self-confidence, which in turn creates a series of motivating emotions.
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