We all know that sport can positively impact mental health, but have you ever wondered why? A famous psychologist explains it.
That it sport is good for your health is certainly no secret. That it affects psychological health, as well as physical health, neither. However, it is not always clear to us how this is achieved.
The connection between physical activity and mental health is profound and multifaceted. In a recent article published by Humanitas Foundation Dr. Elisa Morrone, psychologist and psychotherapist, tried to explain how this connection develops. As you pointed out, this happens regardless of the type of business you do. It is therefore not necessary to be an athlete to derive psychological benefits from the sport practiced.
Let’s see why, according to the psychologist, sport can be considered a real mental therapy.
Sport is good for the mind: find out why
Numerous scientific studies have shown that exercise acts as one mental stimulant for the brain. The release of chemicals such as serotonin and adrenaline during physical activity helps to significantly improve mood. Furthermore, movement stimulates the production of endorphins, which are the main ones natural analgesics of the body. Thereby stress levels are reduced more easily and mood tends to stabilize.
Dr. Morrone specifies that the positive impacts of sport are not limited only to the well-being of the individual, but also extend to its social sphere. In fact, participation in team sports helps to develop characteristics such as resilience and theempathy, which are also very important in everyday life. Physical activity, if practiced well, can also improve self-esteem and self-confidence, leading to what we can call “self-affirmation”. In this process, the individual becomes aware of himself and recognizes himself, precisely on the basis of what he knows how to do.
At the level of cognitive development, sport improves concentration and the creativity. It requires mental commitment that allows you to develop problem solving skills. If practiced in a team it leads to improving one’s coordination with others, both in thought and action.
For patients suffering from depression, physical activity emerges as a significant ally. Recent studies have compared the effects of an antidepressant, fluoxetine, on brain activity with those of physical activity. It turns out that both stimulate neuronal activity in the hippocampus, improving the neurogenesi and therefore positively influencing the management of emotions.
Even if sport cannot be considered 100% a form of therapy, it can therefore be accompanied by therapies pharmacological or psychoanalytic to obtain maximum results. Its effectiveness lies in the combination of physical and psychological benefits, which allow you to apply a holistic approach to the problem you want to solve.
But remember that when it comes to reducing stress through exercise, there is no universal formula. The amount of physical activity needed varies from person to person and from condition to condition. A simple 30-minute walk may be enough for many, but it is important to avoid excesses and respect your body’s limits.
2023-11-22 22:30:06
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