Tuesday, September 22, 2020

How hard workouts can benefit the mind.

 Among Garry Y. Itkin’s favorite things about going hard on workouts are the mental benefits it carries for him. He explains that these benefits aren’t more evident than when he does HIIT and CrossFit routines. 

Image source: crossfittidalwave.com

 
Here are some examples of how hard workouts can benefit the mind.

Lowered stress levels: Any workout is a great stress-reliever. However, Garry Y. Itkin notes that the more intense the exercise, the more a person can release their pent-up stress. Hard workouts also cause the brain to release endorphins, which puts a person in a much more positive frame of mind.

Better sleep: Mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, and the like all affect a person’s sleep, which in turn affects their physical and mental well-being. Hard workouts have the power to tire a person out to the point that they will be able to catch some much-needed sleep. 

Image source: fitandme.com



Increased self-appreciation: Garry Y. Itkin mentions that one of the most pleasant benefits that people received from regularly doing HIIT and CrossFit routines is developing a healthy appreciation for themselves and their bodies. With all the positive physical results, people who do these hard workouts see themselves in a different light, with much more confidence.