When we think of exercise, we think of toning our muscles or defining our abs. However, have you ever considered how exercise can impact our mental health and the little activities we perform daily?
Functional fitness is a workout that is designed to train your muscles to improve their performance when it comes to day-to-day activities, such as lifting a chair or putting the groceries away.
By incorporating common, everyday movements, functional fitness stimulates and trains the various muscles in our body to perform our daily activities with ease and improved movements.
Functional fitness training includes exercises such as squats, which builds lower back strength and strengthens the legs to enable high performance in your daily activities.
We all know the benefits that come with exercise, especially when it comes to mental health. In today’s work-obsessed world, more people are finding it difficult to manage stress, and live in constant worry about something or the other.
Functional Fitness and Mental Health
Functional fitness isn’t just to improve your daily function but also contribute to your overall mental well-being. Here are a few ways that functional fitness promotes strong mental health.
1. Self Confidence
Because functional fitness can improve your performance with day-to-day tasks, your confidence in doing these tasks will increase and you will also start to feel more positive when you perform these daily tasks.
A boost in your self-confidence will lead to an improved mood and a happier state of mind that will benefit your overall health in the long run.
2. Independence
Knowing that you can perform your daily routine without needing any help gives a sense of independence and a certain kind of accomplishment as you successfully conduct your activities.
Working towards building a stronger body comes with many perks, even if it includes being able to open a strongly enclosed jar of pickles.
3. Reduce Stress
Exercise is a powerful tool to combat stress and reduce feelings of anxiety. Your regular workout regime calms the mind and helps you to let go of all the factors that cause you stress, thus, enabling you to focus on the exercise instead.
If you haven’t noticed, exercise makes your tension fade away and keeps your spirits lifted for longer periods of time. With a relaxed mind and reduced stress, your body is able to maintain regular sleeping patterns that are important to your overall health.
4. Social Interaction
Ever wave at familiar faces at the gym? Or say hello to strangers in your workout classes? These little social interactions that come with functional fitness also play a role in improving your mood and your general well-being.
Your friends and relatives are also encouraged to join a functional fitness routine with you, which is a way to strengthen your relationships with the important people in your life and promote a higher quality of life.
As with any exercise, it is important to stay hydrated, especially after your workout. Listen to your body and consult your doctor if you sense any pain during exercise that doesn’t feel right.
The content of this Website is for is for informational purposes only, is general in nature and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and does not constitute professional advice. The information on this Website should not be considered as complete and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions, or their treatment. You should consult with your physician before beginning any exercise, weight loss, or health care program and/or any of the beauty treatments.
References:
What can functional fitness training do for you? (2016, October 29). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/functional-fitness/art-20047680
Goodman Group. (n.d.). What are the Emotional Benefits of Functional Fitness? Retrieved from http://blog.thegoodmangroup.com/what-are-the-emotional-benefits-of-functional-fitness
