Benefits of Strength: Mental Health
PHYSICAL health is only one part
The importance of exercise and movement for our physical health is pretty clear. Most systems of our body (cardiovascular, muscular, skeletal, circulatory, immune, etc) need it to function properly and to age well.
But what about non-physical benefits?
It may surprise some people, but the most powerful effects of exercise may actually be what it does for our mental and emotional health.
Mental Health
Without a healthy mind, a healthy body isn't worth much. What good is a strong, athletic physique when you feel "off" all the time and can't think straight?
Strength training is a great tool to support our mental health. It has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety, fatigue, and depression. It can also help alleviate chronic pain so you can feel better during your daily activities.
Watching your strength increase over time is incredibly empowering. It's a great way to build confidence, stay motivated, and feel better about yourself.
As adults, we sometimes stall in our journey for growth - we get complacent, feel powerless, and get stuck in a fixed mindset. Starting a strength training routine is a great way to take control of our health. It can remind us that it's never too late to make positive changes.
Cognitive Health
In addition to making our muscles, joints, bones, and ligaments stronger, strength training also improves the fitness of our brains! Research has shown consistent training to significantly improve cognitive function, such as memory, processing speed, and executive function.
These are all things that help us perform better on a daily basis, but can also help fight off degenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's.
So don't think about lifting weights as a purely physical endeavor. It keeps both your body AND your mind sharp.
Better Quality of Life
By maintaining (or increasing) both muscle and bone strength, we can continue doing many of the activities we enjoy. How much better would you feel if you were able to hike, bike, kayak, and run for an extra 10 years? How much more would you be able to experience in your life?
When we're young, we don't think about our basic daily activities like bathing, dressing, and going up and down stairs. We take them for granted, but they become a big deal as your body starts wearing down over the years. Strength training allows us to continue taking care of ourselves far into the future.
Overall, strength training improves our physical and mental well-being to help us live healthier and happier lives. So if you're not doing it already, now is a good time to get started!
Stay strong and healthy!
Your bStrong Team