Running on a treadmill can even increase the production of substances that regulate mood and well-being, such as serotonin and endorphins, and help with mental health care. But if other activities generate more pleasure, whether walking in the park or dancing at home, the benefits may be greater.
This is explained because, when we do something that gives pleasure, we reduce the impact of stress on the body, which is another trigger for anxiety disorders, such as anxiety and depression, according to psychiatrist Alfredo Maluf, coordinator of Psychiatry at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein .
“The person loses that feeling of 'I need to do [the exercise]', which is a displeasure. One thing leads to another. The physical benefit of exercise has an impact on mental health, which improves disposition and, above all, stress factors”, details the specialist.
Even less rigorous activities can be tolerant in this sense, according to Maluf, as long as there is regularity. “Walking on the weekend has benefits of pleasure and relaxation, but we need a more continuous activity”, explains the specialist, who calculates at least 30 minutes of exercise, five times a week.
It is possible to make running more pleasurable, according to a study
Make running more pleasurable
Even if you are not a fan of running, there is a way to make it more enjoyable and even improve performance, according to a study published in early October in the journal Scientific journal of Motor Learning and Development.
The secret, according to researchers from the United States and Iran, is not to focus on the movements, but to be distracted during practice.
The research evaluated the running of 12 women, between 18 and 30 years old, on treadmills, during different moments: either they were guided to observe the movements or they were distracted during the exercise.
Results showed that the more participants paid attention to their bodies, the more physically and psychologically exhausted they felt from exercise. On the other hand, the more distracted they were, the easier the running became, without demanding much effort.
Preventive exercises
If exercise has an impact on health today, it could also prevent the onset of mental disorders in the future. Data from research published in September in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry confirm this connection.
By analyzing information from nearly 400,000 people — all participants in the biggest cross-country ski race between 1989 and 2010 — researchers found that those who were more physically active had a 60% lower risk of developing anxiety.
According to Maluf, although all mental comorbidities can benefit from exercise, some gain prominence in the medical literature, such as anxiety disorders, depression and eating disorders. “It's not because [these conditions] are more studied, but there really are studies that show this correlation. And not that other diseases do not have it, but the impact on these is great”, highlights the psychiatrist