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We don’t know that. But it does improve your overall health – both physically and mentally. Why? This is due to many factors.
Most Poles are aware that sport is beneficial for physical health – it strengthens muscles, improves the body’s efficiency, allows you to burn excess calories, and thanks to the improvement of circulation and blood supply, it has a positive effect on the condition of the skin and other organs. It helps to prevent civilization diseases. In a survey conducted by the ZdroFit clubs network in 2021, as many as 96% of respondents declared that they knew that physical activity protects against civilization diseases. However, this survey was conducted among people who exercised. Since it cannot be stated whether people who do not exercise are aware of the advantages of sport and the risk of giving up healthy exercise, we decided to implement a wide, nationwide program at Zdrofit, encouraging Poles to “get up from the couch”, giving them a unique excuse to do so – participation in a unique clip for Paulina’s song A visitor who talks about the benefits of activity. https://piosenka.przygotujsie.pl/
Knowledge about the benefits of sport for the psyche is also great among those who practice it. These people simply know that they feel better after training – 93% of those asked in the survey said that training helps them reduce stress and mental overload.
If you are not sure how physical activity can affect you – this article is for you!
Sport and stress – how it works
Did you know that many diseases are associated with chronic stress? We feel its effects throughout the body – these are, for example, problems with blood pressure, stomach ulcers, intestinal diseases, pain in the spine, headache and dizziness, insomnia, decreased libido, hormonal changes. The effects of chronic and severe stress are visible in the functioning of the whole organism. And playing sports at a moderate level helps to cope with tension and normalize responses to stimuli.
Exercise causes your body to release endorphins, chemicals in the brain that relieve pain and tension. During exercise, the levels of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline also decrease. Just 20 to 30 minutes of exercise each day helps to calm down and feel better. What’s more – the state of elevated mood not only lasts during training, but even several hours after its completion. Of course, we feel relief also thanks to the relaxation of the muscles, after stretching, for example during yoga classes. When we are nervous or afraid – muscles tense. Movement allows you to release these tensions, straighten up and move. This pleasant relief is also felt in the mental sphere – feeling the state after training as a pleasant relaxation.
Together, it is even brighter and healthier
There are sports that require full concentration, “immersion” in the moment – for example skiing. New surroundings, temperature, physical challenge, landscapes force you to put aside your worries and focus on the task at hand. This helps to clear your mind and calm down. Such good fatigue and detachment also allows you to sleep better, and good recovery helps you deal with everyday problems. Of course, you don’t have to go to the mountains to feel more relaxed. All group activities or activities with a trainer, e.g. in a sports club, work similarly. When training with someone, it is more difficult to think about something else, because we carry out tasks, and the number of stimuli at a given moment pushes most of the worries (even for a moment) to the background. The mind can rest, regenerate. Interestingly, group activities with a partner or coach and team sports are used to improve well-being. Team and social sports have an additional relaxing value – they are a nice social meeting, a form of fun, not only a challenge.
Sports against addictions
People who train as an amateur use or abuse stimulants less often – a smaller percentage of people who move regularly smoke cigarettes or become addicted to other substances. In Korea, for example, practicing sports is recommended for teenagers in the fight against Internet addiction.
Sport and depression
Depression is a disease that takes its toll on people of all ages, including children! Various factors, including social ones, isolation related to digitization and others – recently, for example, related to the Covid-19 pandemic, have significantly worsened the statistics.
Depression is a serious disease that requires professional advice from a psychiatrist, often pharmacological and psychological help. However, also in her case, movement can be a real ally. Doctors confirm that regular exercise helps in treating depression and alleviates its symptoms.
Sport can also help people suffering from more serious mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia. Of course, it will not cure it, but if carried out under the supervision of a specialist, it can support the patient in the fight against some of the symptoms, e.g. loss of motivation or difficulties related to thinking and concentration.
Better appearance – greater self-acceptance, satisfying sex, better relationships with people
Our mental state is influenced by many factors. Including complacency or a sense of acceptance. Good movement makes us look better, we have greater awareness of our body, greater efficiency. It’s a straightforward way to self-acceptance and, consequently, greater sexual satisfaction. For many, it is, in turn, an additional puzzle in a puzzle called luck. Sport also gives us contact with people, and this again helps us feel better and more joyful.
Knowledge and moderation are the key
However, it should be remembered that sport brings so many benefits if it is moderate and adjusted to the needs, health condition and current abilities. Let’s not set ourselves goals too high, let’s not force them to murderous training – then the effect will be opposite. And the best – let’s put ourselves in the hands of experts, for example a trainer who will guide us, will make sure that we do not hurt ourselves and motivate us with consistent and regular training. At Zdrofit, we make sure that each person carries out training according to their needs and time possibilities – always under the supervision of the best experts.