Wishing you all a Happy New Year! I don’t know about you, but I turned the calendar hoping for a very different year compared to the last two only to hear Omicron everywhere I go. For someone like me who battles depression everyday, this does not bode well for joy. It is this very reason I want to focus this month on mental health and its direct correlation to physical health.
Originally, I was going to address how long before you see results once you start exercising. To be honest, there is only answer that is consistent. It is also the only guarantee we offer at CustomFitt and that is that you will feel better, have more energy, and be happier in two weeks. Did you read that? You will be happier in two weeks. The greatest issue we all face with Covid is not the effects of the virus. It is the effects we face fighting the possibility of getting the virus.
According to the Mayo Clinic staff, “The COVID-19 pandemic may have brought many changes to how you live your life, and with it, at times, uncertainty, altered daily routines, financial pressures and social isolation. You may worry about getting sick, how long the pandemic will last, whether your job will be affected and what the future will bring. Information overload, rumors and misinformation can make your life feel out of control and make it unclear what to do.”
Public health actions such as social distancing can make us feel isolated, lonely and can increase depression, stress, and anxiety. The Centers for Disease control and Prevention discuss possible effects such as:
- Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
- Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
- Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
- Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes
- Worsening of chronic health problems
- Worsening of mental health conditions
According to Dr. Michael Craig Miller, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, exercise is by far the greatest benefit. “Exercising starts a biological cascade of events that results in many health benefits, such as protecting against heart disease and diabetes, improving sleep, and lowering blood pressure,” he said. He explains how low intense activity spurs the release of proteins called neurotrophic or growth factors, causing nerve cells to grow and make new connections. “The improvement in brain function makes you feel better. In people who are depressed, neuroscientists have noticed that the hippocampus in the brain—the region that helps regulate mood—is smaller.”
Simply put, exercise is the best defense against Covid, the pandemic and its effects. Amazingly, you can stay home and still exercise with personal video training. It only requires a few minor pieces of equipment. Yes, we still offer it, just ask Neva Lockett and Liz Strand.
Stay strong, physically, and mentally,
Laura
