The relationship between lifting weights and mental health has been widely studied in recent years. And the evidence suggests that there are many benefits to incorporating strength training into a mental health treatment plan. Weightlifting has been shown to have a range of positive effects on mental health. Including reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, improving mood and self-esteem, and reducing stress levels.
One reason that weightlifting can be beneficial for mental health is that it releases endorphins. These are the body’s natural painkillers and mood boosters. When you lift weights, your body releases endorphins, which can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve mood. This effect can be particularly pronounced after a challenging workout. Where you’ve pushed yourself to your limits and experienced a sense of accomplishment.
In addition to the mood-boosting effects of endorphins, weightlifting can also improve self-esteem and body image. Which are important factors in mental health. When you lift weights, you’re building muscle and improving your physical fitness, which can lead to a greater sense of confidence and self-worth. This can be particularly important for people who struggle with body image issues or low self-esteem.
Weightlifting can also help to reduce stress levels, which is another important factor in mental health. When you’re lifting weights, you’re focused on the task at hand, which can help to take your mind off of other stressors in your life. Additionally, weightlifting can help to regulate the body’s stress response, which can make you more resilient to stress over time.
Another benefit of weightlifting for mental health is that it can be a social activity. Many people find that they enjoy lifting weights in a gym or with a group of friends, which can provide a sense of community and support. This can be particularly important for people who struggle with social isolation or who have difficulty connecting with others.
While weightlifting can be beneficial for mental health, it’s important to note that there are some potential downsides to be aware of. For example, the pressure to constantly improve or the risk of injury can lead to stress and anxiety. Additionally, some people may become overly reliant on exercise as a coping mechanism, which can lead to exercise addiction.
I also have services for people who want to get started lifting weights. Whenever you want to gain muscle or fat. I am here for your needs. I have plenty of packages ready for whoever wants to make their fitness dreams become a reality. Just email me at jmhen15@comcast.net.
Overall, weightlifting can be a powerful tool for improving mental health. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or stress, incorporating strength training into your routine can help to improve mood, boost self-esteem, and build resilience. If you’re interested in trying weightlifting as a way to improve your mental health, it’s important to start slowly and to work with a trainer or coach who can help you develop a safe and effective workout plan. With time and practice, you may find that lifting weights becomes an important part of your mental health toolkit.
Considering I don’t weight lift (maybe I should?) you may have guessed that this is a guest post. I hope everyone enjoyed it and if you did find it informative feel free to email the writer for more information.
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Regular exercise including handling weighty objects is necessary for good all around health. I think some people carry weight lifting too far and regret it later in life when their body begins to sag where all that muscle once was.
True, muscles aren’t great when you get older but I think appropriate exercise is a wonderful thing.
Frankly speaking, I didn’t know that weightlifting has so many benefits. I knew that weightlifting helps build muscles, reduce body fat and improve stamina. However, I didn’t know that weightlifting also helps improve the mood, boost brain, induce happiness and reduce stress.
So, now we can assert that weightlifting is a complete package, an all-inclusive exercise, with scores of physical and mental health benefits.
Glad this was informative/educational.
To be very honest, I don’t like lifting weights much.
However I do enjoy certain exercise like
deadlifts, squats, Dumbbell fly, chest press, sumo squats, Bulgarian split squats, weighted lunges, weighted step up squats.
I enjoy HIIT more than anything, but yes I invest 5 days a week(sometimes 6) to weight training. 😁
This post is well written and I loved it. Information is appropriate and I adore the language.
Yes lifting weights have many benefits and it makes mental and physical health healthier.
A great share, would love to check out your work. Best wishes to you 🏋🏻🏋🏻♀️
Glad you enjoyed it.
Akkam jirta, (welcome)
at first I was trying to picture you weight lifting, Pooja. 😂😋
A very informative post. I was unaware of these benefits. Thank you for sharing. 🤍
Haha never going to happen 😅 Glad it was informative 😊
I love weightlifting! Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to get back to it, even 7 months after cracking a rib. I heard it takes a while for bones to completely heal, so I have a plan for going back to weightlifting in the future. Still, I miss it so much!
Yes, of course it’s important to take it easy right now. Hope you can get back to it in the future!
I just tried it actually. And it was okay as long as I held my core in tightly. I only did 3 exercises because my muscle tone has really dropped, but I will get there 😊
That’s a great start 😀
Thanks. Just by chance I talked to someone who had cracked a rib 20 years ago and he said he can do weights at the gym, but he has to keep his back flat, or his rib hurts. I felt empowered after that
Oh nice, that’s so encouraging for you.
Yeah. It was nice to have a roadmap too
An informative post!
Thank you for sharing 😊
Glad you thought so!
A valuable guest post. 👍🏻
Thanks 😊
I think weightlifting needs more commitment than say walking. But no doubt that it’s useful.
True, it needs more commitment and it’s definitely not for everyone. But for those who can, it’s wonderful.
I agree. Anything that gets those hormones kicking is good.
Great Job Pooja.. spoken like an expert. I could use to hire you around here! 😝
Hehe thanks!
👏😎absolutely!!
💕
I can personally attest that weightlifting has improved my mood and confidence, not to mention strength and health overall.
That said, I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, so I’d offer a friendly reminder that even walking in nature can be very beneficial to mental and physical well-being. Just moving in some way every day is a good rule of thumb, I think. 🙏
So true, it’s not for everyone but a bit of exercise no matter what it is can be very healthy.
Love your guest posts, they are always full of useful information! Glad you shared it!
Glad you enjoy them!
What a great guest blog! I’m 59 and exercise every single day; and sometimes with weights (light weights from home). I wish my mother would have listened to me years ago when I told her the importance of exercise. Now she’s 79 and can’t walk. Our bodies are designed to move. And move in all different ways. In addition to light weights, I also do: low impact cardio, yoga, tai chi, Pilates, and toning exercises. I shoot for at least 20 minutes per day. I start my day with exercise and then do a longer workout in the evening, unless I’m going out.
Moving is good for so many things, including your skin.
Keep moving 🙂
That’s amazing. Our bodies are definitely designed to move and any form of exercise really helps us both physically and mentally.
You don’t necessarily need to lift weights, but everyone should do some sort of exercise! I don’t fully believe in “the positive mental health benefits of ______”, because I think it’s hard to tell if activities come from feeling better or vice versa, but it keeps your body functional later in life!
Absolutely, any form of exercise is good. We should try to do a little every day if possible. Even if it’s just taking a walk.
Lifting weight is beneficial for a strong body and mind as highlighted very well in this post. I love that you have also mentioned the downsides of weight lifting. Wonderful post. 👌
I absolutely agree and glad you enjoyed the post.
What a helpful and informative guest post, Pooja. I’m not into weight lifting per se, but I do work with light weights to keep my arms strong.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
💖
Weight lifting is a MUST!
💪🏽
Lifting weights is a great contributor to a fitness programme – just don’t overdo it, and mind your back!
Yes, of course be careful but it’s great for health.
So true. Overdoing it can be very harmful. I witnessed it.
Pooja, you had me going there! I was surprise to see all this writing about lifting weights coming from you, and then… oh! Okay, makes senses.
I don’t lift weights either, but I do find the same mental health benefits from other forms of exercise, including running – which I *think* I recall you also enjoy..?
Yes, I do enjoy running or taking walks! I think as long as you get some physical activity in it helps even if it’s not necessarily lifting weights.
Great post and very helpful, Pooja. 💜
So glad you enjoyed it 😊
You should also mention importance of Yoga. Do you think the same way? Yoga always helped me.
This is guest post about weight lifting which is why it’s focusing on that. Personally, I love yoga and have mentioned the benefits of daily yoga in many of my other mental health posts.
Great to know. Please share the link.
All the posts under this link discuss the benefits of yoga: https://lifesfinewhine.ca/?s=yoga
Danke Pooja ji!
I lift light weights. I find exercise helps with alertness.
That’s great. Exercise can help many with alertness and concentration.
It would be interesting to see you lifting weights. You may like the heavy ropes exercise though. So many benefits and it looks so cool. Unisex as well. Not that you need any of that, of course ✨
The rope exercise definitely looks fun. Thanks 😊
Any exercise is a good exercise, especially if you enjoy the exercise you are doing.
So true. If one can do something persistently.
I agree, exercise of any kind is really great for you physically and mentally.
Working out and mental health I believe do go hand in hand. When working out it does take your mind off things as you are solely focused on finishing off your set or routine and also is good for just clearing your mind of any negativities trying to creep in. I do also think that having a strong body does lead to having a strong mind.
Yes, I think mental and physical is always related so exercise definitely helps with mental health.
Ah! I have been wanting to try weight lifting for so long!
But I never get started with it.
But seeing the benefits, I think I should just start!
Thank you for sharing!
Good luck, let me know how it goes!
I’ve never done weight lifting myself, but I would love to do it, although in very moderate dose since my arms are not so strong, which is probably the reason to get into weightlifting. LOL. Anyway, I used to do dumbbell for a while, only to find myself injuring my shoulder without realizing it. It was only a ten pound dumbbell, but my arm cannot take it. It will be good to find a good safe way of exercising the arms.
Yeah, I think you have to be careful with heavy exercising since it can do a lot of harm when not done properly.
I have two friends at least who got into injury due to exercises all because they think they were gaining weight and subsequently they over-exercise to get it over with, not knowing that they were going to hurt their body.
Yeah, some people don’t realise they’re doing harm instead of good. You have to be very particular when exercising.
I took weight training class in high school. We had to lift weights and use the machines. I also used dumbbells at home when I was in high school. I still use dumbbells when I work out at home occassionally.
That’s wonderful, I’m sure it helped and still helps you.
Not only does it benefit us physically but also mentally and very therapeutic.
Yes, exactly. Thanks for commenting.