Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka is one of the fittest and highest-earning women in the world. She is best known for her exploits on the tennis court and several endorsements in her native Japan and the USA. However, she has been grabbing headlines over her struggles off the court.
The topic of mental health is once again being fervently discussed after she withdrew from the French Open, citing depression and anxiety. At 23, Osaka is arguably in the prime of her career in her sport and one of the most physically healthy persons on the planet. Yet, she has mental health problems which many of us can relate to.
Despite being an elite athlete whose workout regimen is world class, Osaka’s struggles are relatable.
But what about if she never worked out or played tennis? Perhaps her struggles would have been greater since numerous studies have been conducted which show that exercise can assist with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.
I write this to say that if you are not working out, perhaps you should since there are several benefits exercise can have on mental health.
Everyone knows that regular exercise is a necessary part of physical health. Most fitness professionals will recommend getting at least 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise three to five times a week to maintain good physical health.
However, this is not the only aspect of your health exercise can influence. Regular exercise also has a significant positive influence on mental health.
Exercise helps with negative thoughts
My grandfather used to always say to me that overthinking leads to negative thoughts. Most types of mental illness, such as depression and anxiety, have a form of unwanted thoughts. Exercise is a great way to interrupt the flow of these unwanted thoughts. It gives the individual a chance to focus on the exact body movements instead of these intruding thoughts. Of course, the difficulty of doing this depends on the individual exercising, but with practice, there is a clear link between interrupting these thoughts and regular exercise.
Endorphins release
Your body releases the feel-good chemical called endorphins during exercise and they can help focus your mind, reduce the impact of pain on your body, and improve your mood. In fact, some reports indicate the endorphins released during exercise have much of the same effect as traditional anxiety medication, and the results can last for hours afterward, and over time can lessen the severity overall.
Boost self-esteem and image
Being in shape helps individuals build confidence in their appearance and boosts their self-esteem when they reach even small exercise goals. All of these boosts in self-image, self-esteem, and self-confidence can only help manage mental health. When you feel better about yourself, the chances of stressors bothering you lessen and if they do bother you, the symptoms tend to be less severe. These benefits are especially helpful if an individual’s issues with mental health are closely linked to their self-image, particularly when it is their physical appearance.
