The world feels like it’s ending… so why should I workout?!
Election stress got you freaking out? What about climate change? The pandemic? Your cancelled wedding? Racism + White Supremacy? Yeah. I’m with you on all of these. We know that exercise helps our mental health which is more important than ever right now, but what do the types of classes we offer each do to provide support for your mental health…and more importantly, which one is right for you?
Barre
One of the most challenging things to master is finding the balance between standing up for yourself and honoring your body. Barre helps us find the sweet spot of pushing yourself to change while not risking injury or harm to the body. It focuses on doing things with integrity. When instructors encourage clients to modify, they’re helping them practice and build that muscle of assertive behavior. Additionally, our barre formats are focused on small, scalable changes. Barre teaches us how to use focused movement to see long term changes.
Vinyasa
Better breathing, higher energy levels, and grounding practices from yoga are only the start of the benefits of Vinyasa. During a vinyasa class, you'll make so many decisions: should I try going into a headstand? Should I take the easy option or try to push myself?
You'll be able to understand better what your body needs on a given day and take the appropriate option to challenge yourself in a safe way. Vinyasa helps us shut out thoughts that swirl and be present, and provides clarity for decision making both on and off our mats!
HIIT
Research into HIIT suggests it may be able to help ward off depression as well as supporting existing sufferers (1). Vigorous exercise increases the levels of two common neurotransmitters called glutamate and GABA, which control chemical messaging in the brain. This is important as major depressive disorders are regularly linked with depleted levels of both of these neurotransmitters.
Another study (2) shows high intensity training can alter your brain by boosting a protein called BDNF, which is involved in regulating brain function and mood. Low levels of BDNF are associated with depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia; this suggests that HIIT can help with mood regulation and increased brain function.
Anyone can work towards practising HIIT to reap both the physical and mental health rewards. However, if you aren’t already exercising, it’s important to start slowly to avoid injury.
HIIT can affect anxiety poorly, so if you’re feeling extra anxious we’d recommend you stick with a Barre or Vinyasa class to keep your hormones balanced. But if you’re just feeling angsty, HIIT is one of our fav options to work it out!
Final Thoughts
As always, if you consistently struggle with mental health challenges, reach out to your community + professionals. Help is available and sometimes exercise can help, but it’s not enough! If you or a loved one is in a crisis situation, use the mental health hotline: 1-800-273-8255.
Need a community to workout with + provide you emotional support in these crazy times? Join Shape Society Collective for your free week!
This Is Your Brain on Exercise: Vigorous Exercise Boosts Critical Neurotransmitters, May Help Restore Mental Health. ScienceDaily, [Online]. Available at www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160225101241.htm. [Accessed 16 Oct. 2019]
Hwang, Jungyun, et al. (2016) “Acute High-Intensity Exercise-Induced Cognitive Enhancement and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Young, Healthy Adults.” Neuroscience Letters, vol. 630, 2016, pp. 247–253, [Online] www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27450438 [Accessed 16 Oct. 2019]