The Emotional Benefits of Exercise during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on everyone. We are all feeling the effects of the stress and anxiety that come with living in such uncertain times. One of the best things we can do for our mental health right now is to get moving and stay active. Exercise has countless physical benefits, but it also does wonders for our emotional health. Here are three ways that exercise can improve our emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Exercise Reduces Stress and Anxiety
One of the most common mental health problems people are facing during the pandemic is increased stress and anxiety. Exercise has been shown to be an effective way to reduce stress and anxiety. When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. Endorphins also act as natural painkillers, so exercise can help reduce physical pain as well as emotional pain.
Exercise Improves Sleep Quality
Another way that exercise can improve our emotional health is by helping us get better sleep. During the pandemic, many people are struggling with insomnia or other sleep disorders. Exercise can help improve sleep quality by tireing our bodies out so we can fall asleep more easily and stay asleep for longer periods of time. Getting enough quality sleep is crucial for maintaining good mental health.
Exercise Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem
Finally, exercise can help boost our confidence and self-esteem. When we look good, we feel good. Exercise helps us to look and feel our best, which can give us a much-needed confidence boost during these difficult times. Additionally, accomplishing fitness goals, no matter how small, can give us a sense of accomplishment and pride that helps to improve our self-esteem. Feeling good about ourselves is an important part of maintaining good mental health.
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health. If you’re looking for a way to improve your emotional wellbeing, consider getting moving and staying active. Exercise has numerous benefits for your mental health, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep quality, and boosting confidence and self-esteem. So get up and get moving—your mental health will thank you for it!
Frequently Asked Questions
How does physical activity improve emotional health during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Physical activity does more than improve your physical health. It releases endorphins that boost your mood and reduce stress.
Is depression and anxiety associated with COVID-19?
We’re seeing elevated rates of anxiety, depression and functional decline and cognitive changes lasting several months out. “The trajectory of recovery isn’t clear yet, but short-term interventions are working to help COVID-19 survivors, even those with persistent symptoms and physical changes.”
Have depression rates increased in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic?
New research from Boston University School of Public Health reveals that the elevated rate of depression has persisted into 2021, and even worsened, climbing to 32.8 percent and affecting 1 in every 3 American adults.
What are some common psychological reactions toward the COVID-19 pandemic?
Feelings of feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
Changes in appetite, energy, and activity levels
Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes
Worsening of chronic health problems
Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
How does physical activity improve emotional health during the COVID-19 pandemic? – Additional Questions
What are some of the negative psychological effects of quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Most reviewed studies reported negative psychological effects including post-traumatic stress symptoms, confusion, and anger. Stressors included longer quarantine duration, infection fears, frustration, boredom, inadequate supplies, inadequate information, financial loss, and stigma.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect social anxiety?
The COVID-19 pandemic led to increased sources of stress for many, along with changes in the ways we connect with others — from trying to stay clear of COVID-19 to spending less in-person time with loved ones and colleagues.
What effect does the COVID-19 pandemic have on people’s personal lives?
See full answer
In addition to other everyday steps to prevent COVID-19, physical or social distancing is one of the best tools we have to avoid being exposed to this virus and slow its spread. However, having to physically distance from someone you love—like friends, family, coworkers, or your worship community—can be hard. It may also cause change in plans—for instance, having to do virtual job interviews, dates, or campus tours. Young adults may also struggle adapting to new social routines—from choosing to skip in person gatherings, to consistently wearing masks in public. It is important to support young adults in taking personal responsibility to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Can I still have sex during the coronavirus pandemic?
If both of you are healthy and feeling well, are practicing social distancing and have had no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19, touching, hugging, kissing, and sex are more likely to be safe.
Can COVID-19 cause psychosomatic symptoms?
The coronavirus pandemic and associated measures taken to combat it could cause people to experience high levels of stress, which can affect the prevalence of individual psychosomatic symptoms.
Is it normal that I feel anxious after the pandemic?
The pandemic has struck everyone in one way or another and many people may be feeling as anxious as you. If you have previously struggled with anxiety or depression, then you may want to seek professional help. You may join a group therapy program to work on your social anxiety.
What is “COVID rebound”?
The CDC defines “COVID rebound” as occurring between “2 and 8 days after initial recovery, and is characterized by a recurrence of COVID-19 symptoms, or a new positive viral test after having tested negative.”
What are some of the post-COVID symptoms?
Patients with COVID-19 were significantly more likely than were those without to develop the following assessed post-COVID symptoms: smell and taste disturbances (aHR = 1.17), circulatory signs and symptoms (1.07), malaise and fatigue (1.05), and musculoskeletal pain (1.02) (Table 2).
What are the most common symptoms of the Omicron subvariant BA.5?
According to the University of California Davis Health, the reported symptoms of BA. 5 are similar to previous COVID variants: fever, runny nose, coughing, sore throat, headaches, muscle pain and fatigue.
What are some symptoms of the Ba 5 Subvariant of COVID-19?
5 symptoms are similar to previous COVID-19 variants. At this time, symptoms from BA. 5 appear to be similar to those caused by other Omicron subvariants. Common symptoms include fever, runny nose, coughing, sore throat, muscle pain, and fatigue.
What are some of the symptoms of the COVID-19 variant Omicron?
Symptoms of Omicron can be similar to the original COVID-19 virus and other variants, which can include a combination of the following: fever, cough, congestion, runny nose, headache, sore throat, muscle pains/aches and fatigue. “Fever, cough and headache look to be the most common symptoms from the current data.
What are the symptoms of the breakthrough COVID-19 Omicron variant?
Their symptoms are generally flu-like and similar to those of previous variants. But in many cases, the headache, fever and coughing are milder. The loss of taste and smell may also be much less prevalent with omicron than it was with delta.
What are some symptoms of Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5?
Experts said that, in general, these subvariants do not have markedly divergent symptoms from earlier versions of Omicron. People infected with BA.4 and BA.5 may develop a cough, runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, headaches and muscle pains.
Are symptoms different for breakthrough COVID-19?
The symptoms of breakthrough COVID-19 are similar to COVID-19 symptoms in unvaccinated people, but are generally milder. You may not notice any symptoms at all. If you are fully vaccinated and develop a fever, feel ill, or experience any symptom that is not typical for you, getting a COVID-19 test may be a good idea.
Is lower back pain associated with the omicron COVID-19 variant?
A report from South Africa’s largest health insurer found that a sore throat, congestion, dry cough and lower back pain ranked among the most common early omicron symptoms.
Is back pain a symptom of COVID-19?
One in five people with COVID-19 have back pain So far, it’s not entirely clear why people seem to be experiencing backache – which in some cases has been debilitating and caused limited mobility – so much more often when they get sick with COVID-19. Generalised muscle pain or myalgia could be connected to backache
How long do body aches and muscle pains last from COVID-19?
Body aches or muscle pains may be an early symptom of COVID-19, often appearing at the very start of the illness and lasting for an average of 2-3 days. Unfortunately, COVID-19 body aches can sometimes last much longer and are commonly reported in people with long COVID-19 or post COVID-19 syndrome.
