After years of trying to convince people depression is a chemical imbalance that can only be solved by taking a bunch of happy pills, studies are finally recognising the power of exercise.
Regular exercise has been shown to be one of the most effective ways to improve and maintain mental health.
Firstly, exercising releases endorphins, also known as the "feel-good" hormones, which help to reduce feelings of anxiety, depression and stress.
These endorphins interact with receptors in your brain to trigger positive feelings and reduce the perception of pain.
From an evolutionary perspective, this masking of pain was a way our brain encouraged us to engage in behaviours that increased our chances of survival and reproduction.
Behaviours such as hunting, mating, and protecting ourselves from dinosaurs or whatever animals were around at that time.
It's ingrained in our biology to do difficult physical activities. Whether we need to do them to survive or not, it's simply how we've adapted to live.
I'm not saying we need to grab a spear and get back out into the wild. I'm saying we need to find ways to replicate the results these ancestral behaviours achieved through modern methods.
This isn't negotiable if you want your body and mind to function properly. The brain is basically a chemical processing factory but your body produces the chemicals in the first place.
If you're not doing difficult things with your body, you won't produce the chemicals that make you feel good. Your hardwiring has been designed in a way that requires you to choose the path of most resistance.
Your brain knows if you're constantly seeking out comfort, convenience and instant gratification. And you will be rewarded with depression, anxiety and stress if this is how you choose to spend your time.
Exercise gave me moments of joy when I was down and hated my life. It acted as a slither of light in the dark world i had fell into as a result of choosing the easy path of hedonism and degeneracy that modern society promotes.
As my body, strength and endurance improved, so did my self-esteem, and confidence, and I got a sense of accomplishment after each workout.
Doing difficult things acts as evidence of your competency which is where confidence comes from. Your ability to do things well.
As you see yourself getting better and better at doing an exercise it allows you to see how the process to mastery works. And by mastering your body, you master your mind because the 2 are intertwined.
If you want to maximise the benefits, exercising outdoors in nature can provide an even bigger boost to your mental health.
I have very fond memories from the pandemic when I had to exercise outside on gymnastic rings.
Nature is our natural habitat, we're adapted to living out there with the elements.
So, next time you're feeling down or stressed; you can be a victim about it, or you can take action.
Hit the gym, go for a run outside, do 100 push ups inside, the options are endless.
The easiest way to get out of your head is by getting into your body.
Always remember, you were born to be the anti-hero of your story.
Free your outlaw.