World Mental Health Day is coming up on Oct. 10. The goal of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world. To combat mental health struggles, many people turn to exercise.
According to Helpguide.org, a study was done that found that running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour may reduce the risk of major depression by 26 percent. Simple forms of exercise can make someone’s day a little brighter.
East gym teacher and coach, Patrick Molinari pays attention to the effects of exercising on his students and athletes.
“What waking up and exercising does is it gets dopamine to flow into the brain, a lot of blood flow going to the brain and body, which helps your body recover, helps wake you up, and helps you get going and moving for the day. It’s kind of like gas to a car,” Molinari said.
Exercise can benefit your overall attitude. When going through hard times, it’s easy to be unmotivated and inconsistent with working out. Allowing yourself to get through that slump improves your focus, confidence, and drive.
Adding movement to your day makes a difference in mood for many students at East. Senior track and field athlete Autumn Wieczorek has seen a decrease in her stress levels while competing, even when her season picks up.
“If I’m stressed out, I can take a lot of my stress out in the weight room or on the track…I can be drained from my sport, but overall, when I’m not working out as much, I don’t feel as good as going to practice,” Wieczorek said.
While burnout and anxiety still occur, it is more beneficial for your mental health if you stay consistent. Exercising consistently boosts your mood and relieves stress. Athletes build mental toughness and feel more accomplished after completing hard workouts.
“I get our boys basketball team in here three days a week at 5:50 in the morning, but when they leave here, you can see how much more alert and attuned to details when they walk out,” Molinari said.
Working out every day isn’t easy. Having the discipline to get up and move your body can make the biggest difference in your day. The feeling of completing a workout helps you feel better both mentally and physically.
Sources have shown that the overall impact on attitude, happiness, and motivation can come from physical activity. There is a strong correlation between exercise and mental health. As World Mental Health Day comes up on Oct. 10, reflect on how you can make your wellness a priority.
Written by seniors Kayli Pembroke and Ava Karg. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.