5 reasons Why It’s So Important To Exercise During The Pandemic
In the midst of a once in a lifetime pandemic, exercise is a tool that could really make a big difference to many people’s lives.
Sure there are the usual reasons people exercise such as weight management, prevent, manage or rehabilitate from injury, prevent or manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease and of course increase fitness and strength.
But there are other factors in every-day life that exercise can really benefit. They existed before Covid19 of course, but now with the stress of economic unknown and social isolation, they’re even more important.
Mental Health and Stress
The current situation is impacting many people’s mental health.
This restricted is exacerbating pre-existing conditions, as people aren’t able to manage their symptoms like they may have previously (such as seeing friends and family or attending other group hobbies. And it’s causing overwhelm for others who may have lost their job or other income sources, lost pre-purchased holidays, lost routines, or even lost loved ones.
A lot is uncertain and unknown, and it makes sense that people feel less secure and are more worried.
It’s important to know you’re not alone and there are resources online as well as helplines to call or text: Life Line, Black Dog Institute, Beyond Blue.
Exercise is a tool you can put at the top of your toolbox to help manage increase stress. It doesn’t just ‘make you feel better,’ there is genuine physical science behind how it does this. Exercise helps you burn through stress hormones as well as stimulates endorphins (your happy chemicals).
Other than the pure physical and psychological effects, set a regular time for exercise and this can help form routine to your day. Try it in the morning so you have a reason to get out of bed and some endorphins and dopamine to get you through the day!
Any exercise can help, but aerobic exercise, or higher intensity if appropriate may be superior. It should ideally be at least 30 minutes. Although, the best exercise, is the one you know you will enjoy.
Social Connection
With strict social restrictions, exercise is still one of the only reasons you’re allowed to leave home.
Exercise as a social excuse is not new. It’s a well-known benefit of exercise classes for example, but it’s definitely needs to not be forgotten now. Again, there is science behind it too, with more fun hormones and brain chemicals that pop up when we feel love.
We need a sense of connection with other humans. So, get your exercise with a friend regularly! Just remember to keep at least 1.5m apart.
For social restrictions in your state follow the links in the Australian or NZ government websites.
Immune System
Exercise has been associated with improving numerous processes of the immune system. It will in no way guarantee protection, but it can be a good boost.
Sleep
If you read our previous article, Supercharge Your Sleep, you’ll know that exercise plays an important role in improving sleep quality.
Done right, it does this through, decreasing the stress hormones (cortisol, adrenaline) that keep us awake, resetting the temperature, synching with our biological clocks and increasing the availability of other hormones that help us sleep (adenosine).
Bonus: good sleep also is also a boost to the immune system!
Brain Power
Exercise is consistently associated with better brain function such as focus, memory recall and learning.
There are a few reasons behind this. One is that it can increase blood flow to the brain, and another is that it increases the ability of the brain to form new brain cells and neural pathways (the electrical path the messages follow in the brain).
Why’s that important now? A few reasons. Firstly, many people are working from home or in a new environment, so they need extra brainpower. Second, if you’re not working, remember that your brain is (like) a muscle, if you don’t use it, it can get weak. It’s important to keep challenging your brain to avoid cognitive fatigue when you go back to work. We’d also recommended keeping your brain active to maintain this, exercise will complement the effect.
Naturally, improved brain health is also associated with better mental health and mood.
If you need some exercise ideas you can follow our sister company Specialised Health – they’re posting daily exercise ideas during this time, and have some useful blogs too:
If you’re new to exercise you can get a rundown here, and also take it easy! There are lots of new injuries happening after people are overestimating their fitness. Start easy and build it up. Preferably seek instruction from a professional such an exercise physiologist, physiotherapist or well educated personal trainer, who can go through exercise techniques and guidelines with you.
Exercise, enjoy, keep safe.
Biara Webster | Exercise Physiologist & Health Writer
