Over the past two years, we have been hearing more and more about mental health, and it will grow. This subject, unfortunately still taboo, is so topical that it is to be hoped that prejudices will fall and that acceptance will be easier, that discomfort will disappear.
Certain behaviors can have an impact on our well-being and our mood, because they have a direct impact on our body. Of course, we would NEVER tell you to replace your medication with a sports activity, but it can really help. Here is an explanatory overview:
Hormones, the famous hormones...
Mainly, four hormones secreted by the body have an impact on our happiness/mood.
- Dopamine: responsible for moods, the secretion of this hormone is provoked by situations evaluated as pleasant by our brain, such as the achievement of objectives.
- Endorphin: recognized as the hormone of happiness with a capital H and well-being, it has pain-relieving effects, calms, and reduces stress and anxiety. It is produced under considerable effort.
- Serotonin: the molecule of tone, alertness and energy, the regulator of our mood. It sets to naturally regulate sleep, fatigue, morale and hormones. Its secretion is facilitated by physical activity and exposure to the sun.
- Oxytocin: the social hormone: it is produced by positive social relationships. It creates a feeling of trust. It facilitates interactions and mutual aid behaviors.
An imbalance in these hormones can have serious consequences on our mental health and lead to depression. A healthy and natural way to reduce this imbalance is to move, to play sports. Sport affects neurotransmitters in the brain, which in turn affect our behavior and mood.
On the one hand, as mentioned above, our body secretes dopamine when achieving a goal. The pleasure felt at achieving this goal pushes us to want to repeat the experience. You have a long-term goal You want, for example, to run a 5km, a half-marathon, lose 20 lbs Why not divide your goal by level One step at a time, reaching the micro-goals will increase your production of dopamine, and therefore pleasure!ir!
Then, it only takes 30 minutes of physical activity for the brain to secrete the endorphin molecules and begin to feel the effects. By physical activity, here we mean an endurance sport, not just a leisurely walk. A good physical effort, such as jogging, tennis, swimming, soccer, etc.! In the short term, it is recognized as having pleasure, calm and its pain-relieving action, but it is also known to limit the effects of prolonged stress.
Serotonin, on the other hand, is known to be involved in the phenomena of depression. Its secretion is facilitated by physical activity, by a good self-esteem and by sunlight. And let's admit that our body produces too much of it We don't have to worry, the excess serotonin is recovered to be used by our body when it needs energy, or transformed, for example into melatonin, the sleep hormone . “Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed” said Antoine Lavoisier.r.
And oxytocin in all this Nothing beats a compliment received or a hug to secrete it. Physical activity is not for much, but you have to raise your arms to give a hug! (ok, just kidding...!))
We can never say it enough, playing sports is taking care of yourself. (You can also read the articles:Anxious Here are some tips to reduce your level of anxietyé andExhaustion, symptoms and how to cure it) But if you are struggling with anxiety, depression or stress disorders, on the one hand,go see your doctor, if you haven't already. Depression is a serious illness, neither sport nor diet can replace medication. But oh! that it can help recovery, or prevention.
Wishing you good sport!
References:
- https://www.mediachimie.org/sites/default/files/chimie-sport-junior_3.pdf
- Champagne, Marie-Andrée, Is happiness hormonal? Publisher of Man, 2018..
Article written by Audrée Hogue