We Know Exercise Can Improve Our Mental Health, But What Happens When Anxiety Gets In The Way?
This study examined the relationship between anxiety and starting exercise HRAUNGetty Images
It s no secret that exercise holds the power to improve your mental strength, but with one in eight men fighting mental ill-health, the fight for a stronger mind is often an uphill battle.
On top of this, new McMaster University research has found that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created a paradox where mental health can be both instrumental and detrimental to starting physical activity and exercise. Simply put, people want to be active but stress and anxiety often get in the way.
Written by Robby Berman on April 15, 2021 Fact checked by Jessica Beake, Ph.D.
New research investigates the relationship between exercise and mental health during the pandemic. Photo editing by Stephen Kelly; LindaRaymondPhotography/Getty Images
The mental health benefits of physical activity have been out of reach for people whose stress and anxiety levels have kept them from exercising during the pandemic, a new study shows.
People who have continued to exercise during the pandemic are more likely to be doing it for their mental health than for any other reason.
People who are less physically active than usual are experiencing more symptoms of mental health conditions during the pandemic.