During the pandemic and the resulting lockdowns, many people found regular physical activity to be a real outlet for stress and negative thoughts. Regular physical activity of any kind has a direct impact on mental health. We explain the effects in more detail in the following.
Hormone secretion after physical activity
People who regularly engage in physical activities often say they are “addicted” to sports. This is because physical activity encourages the release of endorphins from the body. These hormones are associated with a feeling of well-being, relaxation and even euphoria. In addition, they block the body’s perception of pain. It is important to know that the quantity of endorphins circulating in the body is 5 times higher 30 to 45 minutes after a physical effort than when we remain inactive.
In addition, physical effort leads to the secretion of dopamine and serotonin, two “happiness hormones” that have similar effects to those associated with endorphins.
Better control of stress
Regular physical activity leads to the release of cortisol, which is the stress hormone. Indeed, the body secretes cortisol during physical effort, but it uses it almost instantly as a source of energy. Cortisol is associated with stress when it is present in excessive quantities in the body, and this is what sport helps to control. By regulating the amount of cortisol in the body, sport helps control stress and anxiety and their effects on mental health. Regular physical activity also helps to reduce the heart rate when at rest, which also has a direct effect on stress levels.
Goals and sense of accomplishment
When engaging in any type of physical activity, it is always a good idea to set realistic and attainable goals. For example, if you lift weights at the gym, you can gradually increase the weight to reach your goals. The same goes for cardiovascular activity; you can set goals in terms of distance or duration and gradually increase them as you practice. This has a very beneficial effect on the feeling of success and self-satisfaction.
In addition, when you are physically active, there are usually benefits to your health and physical abilities. It is also good for your self-esteem, as you feel in control of your own health.
Tips for getting the most out of physical activity
- Practice approximately 150 minutes of physical activity per week. This is equivalent to 5 periods of 30 minutes, but you can divide this total time in the way that best suits your schedule;
- Vary the activities to obtain different health benefits: cardiovascular activities, weight training, etc. ;
- Set realistic and achievable goals to stay motivated and enjoy the feeling of success;
- Avoid overtraining and watch for the following signs: decrease in performance, longer recovery time, disturbance of sleep and/or appetite.
- Have fun while practicing sports!
A mobile team that is there to help you
The Clinic GO™ team is here to help you adopt an active lifestyle. If you’re a beginner and want to incorporate sports into your routine, know that you can benefit from the guidance of our multidisciplinary team. Home medicine or virtual consultation, physiotherapy, nutrition, etc. Do not hesitate to ask our team for more information.
Approuvé par Francis Desjardins
