People are motivated to work out for many different reasons. Whether it be because they are in the midst of a post break-up glow up or are just looking to find ways to feel more confident, lots of different people are working out for lots of different reasons.
One of the reasons many people do work out is to feel better about themselves both physically and mentally. Working out is known to increase endorphins and feelings of happiness (1).
People generally just feel more confident when they stay consistent with their workout programs as they start to notice the positive changes, which then reflects in their emotions and actions (2).
A lot of people will argue that working out is the only thing that can reduce their symptoms of depression, and I covered this topic extensively during my degree. This is why I wanted to put together this article on why working out is good for you.
I know it may seem difficult to get into fitness initially when dealing with symptoms of depression or low mood, however I hope that sharing some of the positive outcomes of taking part in fitness during cycles of depression can help encourage people to want to get started. 🙂
Fitness for Mindfulness?
Physical activity is well renowned to induce positive outcomes when it comes to mindfulness. So much research has gone into this field and shown optimistic results that multiple schools and businesses now hold specific mindfulness sessions within their organisations, as it’s been shown to increase productivity and focus (3).
One study showed that children with ADHD who participated in yoga mindfulness practice for 30 minutes, twice a week during school showed a noticeable difference in attention to tasks and emotional regulation after just three weeks (4).
In partaking in fitness for mindfulness such as yoga, not only are you taking care of your body but it’s also been linked to heightened emotion regulation and a reduction in depressive symptoms (5)
Google is one well-known representation of a huge organisation that has acknowledged the link between mindfulness and happy employees. One of their main company policies is centered around the happiness levels of staff as they know how important it is for productivity (6).
Can Working out Cure Symptoms of Depression?
As mentioned previously, working out is acknowledged to cause chemical reactions within the body such as the release of serotonin which increases feelings of happiness and/or contentment (7), so by participating one can be justified in believing that this will reduce symptoms of depression. I don’t think I’ve ever met a person that has claimed to feel ‘bad’ after a workout, so it definitely has its advantages in the short term.
The problem is, prescribing fitness as a ‘cure’ for depression is not so simple as there are so many different forms and levels which can be incurred under completely different circumstances. For instance, depression which is caused by chemical deficiencies affecting the neurotransmitters within the brain/body may not be as easily treated simply via a fitness program without additional pharmaceutical medication which helps facilitate the transmission of serotonin and endorphins (8).
Because of this I would recommend that although there is so much research on the benefits of physical activity, it’s still advisable to at least make an appointment with your GP if you’re feeling depressive symptoms.
Working Out to Increase Social Capital
Fitness is a huge industry and with that comes many like-minded people who are apt to share similar types of interests such as yourself on that journey. Because of this it’s a great way to become more social, which is also a benefit to the psyche (9).
Even if you’re a bit too shy to head to a fully packed 5.30PM gym there are lots of smaller groups online and/or local who share the same passions, some of which are probably looking for outside motivation too.
I’ve known people over 10 years in the fitness industry who still now motivate me with their posts sometimes when I’m having a lazy day. It’s a prime example on how having like-minded people around you can increase internal motivation.
Working Out for Aesthetics
It probably seems strange to put one of what some consider the main benefits of working out so far down the list because we would all be lying if we tried to say we’ve never taken a good look at a fitness poster of a ripped man or athletic looking woman and objectified them just a little bit (anyone for this years fireman calendar?) 😀
But honestly, personally I think that the mental benefits far outweigh the physical benefits when it comes to working out, although I do very much enjoy being able to get in my size 10’s again.
Whilst it’s pretty obvious that people who work on themselves physically are typically more confident in their skin than those who don’t partake at all (10), are apt to be happier in their social lives due to increased confidence (11) and are at far less risk of health problems (12), I do personally feel that working out purely for aesthetic reasons can inadvertently damage a person’s self-esteem in some cases, and it’s been known to increase symptoms related to body dysmorphia in some individuals (13).
Coming from someone with a bit of an addictive personality I can come from personal experience and say even fitness can become a bad habit if it becomes your only source of being, and although I advocate massively in relation to all the health benefits when it comes to fitness I don’t think it’s fair not to share the not so beneficial considerations too and remind people that balance is key.
Conclusion
To conclude, a ‘cure’ that may work for one may not work for another. There are so many external complexities when it comes to people’s environments and genealogy, etc, that clearly it’s not as simple as universally saying ‘working out can cure depression’.
However, hopefully I’ve shared enough of the positive benefits to at least give it a try, as even though working out may not fully cure depression at its root, it’s definitely been proven to alleviate some of the psyhomatic symptoms that come with it, which can create a positive cycle in itself once you start getting those doses of increased serotonin. It’s also a great way to find new people who are also just starting out who can become a great source of fitness motivation for you!
As always, please feel free to share your thoughts and own experiences. I’m aware not everyone will have the same experience as me, and one of the reasons I started this blog was to not only share relevant information but also learn more about a passion of mine too! 🙂
Thanks for Reading,
Louise x
References:
(1) Sanchez, M., 2023. Exercise and Endorphins: Rowan Centre for Behavioural Medicine [online]. Available from: Exercise and Endorphins: Rowan Centre for Behavioural Medicine
(2) Fox, K. R., 2000. Self esteem, Self perceptions and exercise and exercise. International Journal of Sports Psychology, 31, 228-240.
(3) Abrams, S., 2019. Breathe to Succeed: Increase Workplace Productivity, Creativity, and Clarity through the Power of Mindfulness. Redwheel/Weiser: Newbury Port: Mass.
(4) Rabiner, D., 2023. Does Yoga Help Children with Attention Problems? [online]. Available from: Does Yoga Help Children with Attention Problems?
(5) Menezes, C. B., Dalpiaz, N. R., Kiesow, L. G., Sperb, W., Hertzberg, J., and Oliveira, A. A. 2015. Yoga and emotion regulation: A review of primary psychological outcomes and their physiological correlates. Psychology & Neuroscience, 8(1), 82–101.
(6) Thomson, S. 2016. This is how Google creates happier, more productive employees [online]. Available from: This is how Google creates happier, more productive employees
(7) Young, S. N., 2007. How to increase serotonin in the human brain without drugs. Journal of Psychiatry Neuroscience, 32(6), 394-399.
(8) Harvard Health., 2022. Onset of depression more complex than a brain chemical imbalance [online].Available from: Onset of depression more complex than a brain chemical imbalance
(9) Holahan, C. J., and Moos, R. H., 1981. Social support and psychological distress: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 90(4), 365–370.
(10) Khair, K., Holland, M., Dodgson, S., McLaughlin, P., Fletcher, S., and Christie, D., 2021. Fitness enhances psychosocial well‐being and self‐confidence in young men with hemophilia: Results from Project GYM. Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 5(8).
(11) Onea, I., 2019. Gyms and social interaction. Logos, Universality, Mentality, Education, Novelty. Section Social Sciences, 2, 21-34.
(12) Tulle, E., and Dorrer, N., 2012. Back from the brink: ageing, exercise and health in a small gym. Ageing and Society, 32(7), 1106-1127.