You know what’s Dope? Dopamine!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
One in four Americans are currently struggling with mental health. Depression, anxiety - they can be very lonely and isolating. If you aren’t currently struggling with our own mental health, you probably have several people in your life who currently are. The awareness and comradery around this topic is really important. It’s important to know always… you are not alone!
And while the list of coping strategies, treatment, and prevention are long, recently I read this book that really helped not only drive the role of exercise for mental health but also, helped me understand one more surprising idea behind exercise and mental health and also addiction prevention.
In her book Dopamine Nation, Dr. Anna Lembke, professor of psychiatry at Stanford University states:
“Exercise has a more profound and sustained positive effect on mood, anxiety, cognition, energy and sleep than any pill I can prescribe.”
Dr. Lembke says that us humans are not evolved enough for the digital and indulgent age we live in. Luxuries, ease and quick access to well - just about everything - have actually become a hindrance to our happiness! Dopamine, a chemical produced in our bodies that helps us feel pleasure and have motivation. In our less evolved state (say before Door Dash), when we were hungry, it was dopamine that prompted us humans to GET UP and GET our food (like hunt, gather, you know…). But here we are. We have access to all the things that make us feel good now. But according to Dr. Lembke, we shouldn’t seek comfort…we should actually look for pain!
Here’s what she says “Pursuing pain is harder than pursuing pleasure. It goes against our innate reflex to avoid pain and pursue pleasure…we have to remember that we will feel pleasure after pain, and we’re remarkably amnestic about this sort of thing…. We must seek out pain and invite it into our lives''
I don’t know about you, but this made me feel like suddenly I had permission and the encouragement I needed to push myself a little more in my daily exercise routine. Like, maybe instead of coasting along at my comfortable treadmill pace, what if I challenged myself to push my limits to where I could really feel something a little more eh…unpleasant - maybe a little painful?
In strength training and in cardio, I tell my clients that if they want to continue to improve, they have to push themselves to be better than they were yesterday. But, add in this mental health reasoning, and suddenly, the push got a little more intentional. Can you really only squat that much? Maybe you should tap into that dopamine trigger of a little pain! (with proper warm-up of course!).
How about you? Have you considered this aspect of getting that mental health in balance?
If you need a little push, I wanted to let you know that I am launching our Summer Session on May 9. I’m so excited about this next session. I love the community that we keep growing. I love seeing men and women seek more for their health and take charge to get it. If you allow it, it could be one of the most powerful things you do to change YOUR life. 84 Days, 12 Weeks. You, me, and one really awesome group of MFers ;). We have fun! We test our strength, we test our discipline, and now, we’re testing our feel good chemical… dopamine!
FITNESS, MUSCLES, GOALS, HEALTH. It’s a great thing folks!
Ready to sign up? Click here and not only will you be in for the next group, you’ll get access to a free week of workouts starting Monday.
Not sure? Schedule a call with me! I’d love to talk more with you about it. I won’t try to sell something to you that is not a good fit. Trust me, I want you to find your best health more than I want a sale.
And lastly and most importantly… if you are struggling with your own mental health. If you are feeling hopeless or need someone to talk to you. I want you to know, I am here for you. Don’t schedule a call, just pick up the phone and reach out. I’m not a therapist, I’m just another imperfect human who also has had times of need like you. We are in this together and I am here. You can reach me at 913-961-4647 or kat@martinofit.com
Have a great weekend! It’s gonna be May!
Kat
Mission:
My mission is to empower men and women to reclaim self-worth and confidence by striving to be their best, healthiest, and strongest self. Unleash inner-potential and transform lives through accountability and motivation. Build up, coach with substance and help others realize limitless potential. Extraordinary results in health as the byproduct. #buildemup