There’s been a lot of focus on mental health lately, which is encouraging. Hopefully, the stigma around talking about mental health is lessening. At the same time that this awareness and openness increases, it seems like the world has become more stressful for everyone. Everything feels heightened, including our anxiety about the instability in so many aspects of life.
Right now is a good time to chime in and have a conversation about taking care of your emotional well-being and its connection to strength training. To be fair, any physical activity is helpful, but strength training in particular can be a great boost to your mental health.
Feel-good chemicals.
Exercise triggers endorphins to be released throughout the body. Endorphins are chemicals in the brain that are released in response to many things: pain, stress, pleasurable activities, and…physical activity! (Side benefit: they can even contribute to weight loss.)
This hormonal response is like a big hug or a warm smile. It simply makes us feel good and reduces stress, anxiety, and negative emotions.
The extra toll that we put on ourselves when doing resistance training is enough to release endorphins and lift our mood. However, there are other aspects of strength training that give us mental health benefits, too.
Building strength increases confidence.
Lifters new to training in this modality are surprised to find that, after just a few days, they feel like their posture is better. This is due to focusing on technique and learning how to create stability in the core muscles and tension throughout the body. This literally and figuratively makes people walk taller. This effect is one of many ways that individuals simply feel better when training. Because of the physical improvements and feeling more fluid, people are lifted up emotionally, too. In the long term, better sleep and eating habits make for a better state of mind, which also leads to more confidence.
A stronger body is a more capable body.
Along with this overall confidence comes the realization that one is able to do more things for themself. Some people have reported being able to put their luggage in the overhead bin by themselves – quite effortlessly! Others find that everyday tasks such as carrying groceries, wrangling kids, and getting up and down stairs are much easier tasks. Knowing that you are self-sufficient is a huge mental boost. Feeling capable is invaluable.
Overcoming adversity
Similarly, just getting through the challenge of lifting something heavy – very possibly heavier than someone ever lifted before – is empowering. Facing this obstacle might be the most difficult thing that someone does all week. By working through this challenge, they are building mental fortitude. How amazing does it feel to succeed? And even if someone wasn’t successful, simply by trying and doing one’s best can make those endorphins flow. It can bust through mental barriers. It can help someone feel more emotionally prepared to face whatever else lies ahead.
Specifically at SBWC, there are additional benefits to one’s mental health.
Community
A big talking point about depression is that people are lonely. At SBWC there is a built-in community of people who are pushing themselves. Encouraging others, helping fellow members, being cheered on…all these things bond us. We understand each other and how hard we are all working. It makes for some good times, fun training, and a lot of banter. People have fallen in love at the gym, made lifelong friends, and have become true teammates. But it doesn’t have to be that intense. Some people have tried new hobbies because of other members. Some have just discovered that they have something in common with others. Some simply get a space to talk about life and enjoy each others’ company. There are both impromptu and planned social activities at SBWC. Furthermore, we encourage using the gym as a “third space”. After all, what do we have if not one another?
Meditative Environment
The flip side of community is the dojo-like, zen space that is SBWC. Someone might not be formally meditating as a regular practice, but SBWC allows individuals to focus without distraction. Members have space to quiet their minds, leave the outside world behind, and to just be a lifter for a little while. There are no mirrors in the rack area and no music playing. Believe it or not, SBWC even has a dedicated meditation room available to all members during regular gym hours. It is a space for quiet reflection with no rules. Calming the nervous system this way is extremely important to one’s mental health.
Infrared Sauna
The infrared sauna is a place to revive and restore one’s body and soul. Just sitting in the peaceful space for a little time feels rejuvenating. There is evidence that Infrared saunas may have a positive effect on heart health and blood pressure. They can ease pain and reduce inflammation. That is key for mental health because our physical state greatly correlates with our emotional state. Regardless of anything else, an infrared sauna promotes relaxation, reduces stress levels, and lowers anxiety and depression.
Fit3D Body Scan
The scale can be a terrible tool! It plays games with our minds. Bodyweight by itself is not a great determination of health or wellness. The Fit3D Scan is a great analytical tool that can show real changes and provides metrics that give the bigger picture. This is much more productive than taking a shot in the dark or relying on the deceptive nature of scale weight alone. Even if the results of the first scan are a little shocking, going back and re-scanning every 3 or 4 months can be uplifting. To see the changes in measurements, lean mass (body composition), and posture can keep someone from becoming depressed, feeling worthless, or hopeless.
In both obvious and in unexpected ways, participating in strength training at SBWC can improve mental health. It is not just a gym, but a resource. It is a place to unlock ones’ potential and to become stronger – physically, emotionally, and mentally. Book a FREE tour or call today!