Why the gym is important for mental health

Abby Tucker
Abby Digital Writing
2 min readApr 14, 2024

Do you struggle with mental health?

A lot of the world struggles with mental health Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and so many more mental illnesses. Working out creates ‘Feeling good’ chemicals like serotonin and endorphins released by exercise, which lift your spirits. Additionally, it increases your fitness, which can uplift your spirits. Engaging in physical exercise can help divert your attention from negative thought patterns.

For many people, the gym is a place to feel safe anddeal with emotions they don’t know how to channel. The gym creates less tension, stress, and mental fatigue worldwide. It can also be called a natural energy boost, a sense of achievement, more focus and motivation, less anger or frustration, and a healthy appetite. While weightlifting might be more beneficial for enhancing one’s body image and self-esteem, cardio might be more effective at reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

A lot of people enjoy workout classes and group exercises to feel more comfortable with themselves and to see others doing the same classes and workouts, no matter their personal reasons.

Working out causes great habits internally. It shows dedication and hard work, which can pay off for someone and boost their mental health by feeling accomplished. For many people, the feeling of being dedicated to something successful in both your personal and professional life depends on keeping your promises. Promising to do something is not enough; you must also put your all into it and accept accountability.

I work to help channel my emotions, and it helps me process my everyday life and things going on. Working out can also help with body image and self-esteem. Frequent exercise can improve physical appearance, such as better overall fitness, decreased body fat, and increased muscle tone. Making exercise a priority as part of a self-care regimen conveys respect and value for oneself, which is why adding to your daily, even weekly, routine is so valuable. Doing some physical activity once a day, whether it is a walk, run, or weight lifting, will help clear your mind and make a difference.

The gym is a scary place for many people, but it is essential to know that it is a safe place, and it can be your new mental safe place to work on who you are internally and externally. Studies discovered that establishing a new exercise regimen could take up to six months on average. Starting a new habit, especially something as challenging as the gym, can be tricky, but it is essential to keep it because of the impressive physical and mental benefits.

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