Mental health, like physical health, must be cared for. Many physical problems are a consequence of a mental problem. If we have good mental health, we will feel good. We will have the strength to face any challenge and we will have a better healthy lifestyle.
This is why doctors are so insistent on taking care of our mental health. One of the best ways to improve it is by playing sports, 2 or 3 times a week. Sport has immediate effects on mental health but also in the long term. Here are some of the benefits:
Benefits that affect our mental health when we do sport:
We reduce stress: Nowadays, and unfortunately, it’s not unusual to hear someone say that they are too stressed, that their pace of life is overwhelming them. Whatever the reason, the truth is that we live with too much stress. To have good mental health it is important to learn how to manage and reduce it. Through sport we can reduce stress. Because sport eliminates stress and produces substances in the brain that help us manage it better.
We improve our memory: if we do sport regularly we will have a better memory and we will improve our ability to learn new things, it will be easier for us. Because when we play sports, we produce more cells in the hippocampus, which are responsible for learning and memory.
We will control our mind better: not only will we control our brain, but we will also improve our concentration. Something that will help us in our daily life and when we exercise.
We will produce hormones: when we train, we facilitate the production of hormones. These hormones contribute to our well-being and mental health. Like, for example, endorphins, known as happiness hormones because they make us feel good. Others help us reduce depression and anxiety and make us feel better.
We are more motivated: if we achieve our objectives we will be motivated to set new goals. Consequently, we will also lose the fear of facing new situations, we will be more daring.
It helps us to control addictions: when someone has an addiction, it is because this substance produces dopamine, which is in charge of the reward circuits. Sport also produces this substance so we will no longer need to take drugs. Sport also helps us to restore our biological clocks, because they are altered by the use of drugs.
Our social relations will be better: sport increases self-esteem, gives us confidence and encouragement. This is very useful when meeting new people and starting a conversation.
It improves behaviour and teaches us values: exercise gives us life lessons, reinforces our values and teaches us new ones. For example, it teaches us to work as a team, to trust another person, to win and lose, to believe in ourselves… It makes us better people.
Improves sleep disorder: sleeping a minimum of hours and getting a good night’s sleep is essential for good physical health but also for good mental health. If we have trouble sleeping or resting, sport will help us, as it relaxes us, helps us fall asleep earlier and makes sleep more restful.
It prevents cognitive impairment: as the years go by, the chances of suffering from a degenerative illness increase. Exercising, especially between the ages of 25 and 40, helps produce chemicals in the brain that prevent this degeneration, it also improves our cognitive function.