Skip to content

Website Navigation Images (1)

CIRCLE OF CARE
Build a comprehensive program incorporating multiple services & get a team of specialists working together for you 

Website Navigation Images (3)

THE UFIT TEAM
Meet our team of highly-qualified coaches & clinicians who work together to get you the best results

Website Navigation Images (2)

CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES
Check out the inspiring stories of clients who have achieved life changing results

Get rewarded for every person you refer to UFIT

Find out the story behind UFIT and our vision, mission and purpose

Get access to exclusive offers and discounts from our partners

Unlock free sessions forever with your program as part of UFIT Rewards

UFIT Club Street Front (4)-1

CLUB STREET
Our flagship hub, located in the heart of the CBD

Website Navigation Images (4)

ORCHARD
Clinic only, located on the 6th floor of Orchard Central mall

City Hall Tennis Aerial view for nav bar

CITY HALL
Our City Hall hub is located on the 8th floor of Fairmont Hotel

One-north space for nav bar

ONE-NORTH
Our one-north hub is located at 1 Fusionopolis Place 

WE RUN OUTDOOR CLASSES AROUND SINGAPORE.  CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LOCATIONS
Class image

GET A 7 DAY CLASS PASS FOR $49

Intro pass for  new clients only

Personal Training with client

BUY A UFIT PROGRAM
Build a comprehensive, personalised program incorporating any service in our Circle of Care

BUY CLASS CREDITS
Class credits can be used to book indoor, outdoor, 3:1 reformer pilates classes & tennis clinics

BUY CLASS MEMBERSHIP
Get a monthly membership for classes and train as many times as you want

BUY UFIT GIFT CARD
Valid on any UFIT service, buy a gift card for a loved one to try our services
ufit restorative pilates class
UFIT Singapore17 May 20223 min read

The Benefits of Exercise for Mental Health

While most people know and understand the benefits of exercise for their physical health, be it aesthetics or for performance, not many people know or understand the importance of exercise for mental health. There is evidence to show that exercise may be an often-neglected intervention in mental health care. Exercise plays an important role in mental well-being and can even relieve symptoms of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Let's dive a little bit deeper into how. 

HOW YOUR MENTAL HEALTH CAN BENEFIT FROM EXERCISE

  • Help Reduce Depression

Studies have shown that exercise can aid in managing moderate depression. A recent study done by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduces the risk of major depression by 26%.

How? Exercise relieves depressive symptoms by promoting changes in the brain, including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and well-being. The release of endorphins you get from a workout can help energize you and make you feel good after. It can also help by serving as a distraction to break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that can feed depression.

exercise helps reduce anxiety

  • Help Reduce Anxiety

Endorphins released during exercise can help manage anxiety as well by relieving tension and stress. Moving your body helps decrease muscle tension, which in turn can help lower the physiological symptoms of anxiety. Being mindful during exercise can also help interrupt the flow of constant worry that runs through your head. A simple bike ride, dance class, or even a brisk walk can be a powerful tool for those suffering from chronic anxiety.

  • Help Reduce Stress
Like depression and anxiety, exercise can help alleviate stress through the release of endorphins. By moving your body, you allow your body to complete its stress cycle. While years of evolution have made us smarter, our bodies haven’t quite caught up yet, which means we can’t tell emotional/mental stress from physical stress. For example, being yelled at by your boss would trigger the same stress signals as being chased by a lion.

When we do not confront our stress, we continue the stress cycle and our bodies are in constant activation with increased blood pressure, increased chance of heart disease, and issues with digestion. Thus, completing the stress cycle is imperative for our health.

exercise helps promotes positive well-being

HOW EXERCISE PROMOTES POSITIVE WELL-BEING

Exercise can also benefit the well-being of individuals who feel mentally healthy. Increasing your activity levels with exercise has also been found to improve mood, energy levels and sleep quality.

It can also promote positive well-being by:

  • Boosting confidence – this can be due to feeling better by moving more, hitting a new personal best, or feeling better about your body.
  • Providing a source of social support – group exercise is a great way to meet new people. With the recent pandemic, more people have had mental health issues due to the lack of meaningful connections made because of isolation.
  • Providing a buffer against stress - Exercise has been linked to lower physiological reactivity to stress. This can be a great way to increase your resilience to stress for the future.

While there are so many wellbeing benefits from exercise, it is important to listen to your body! Personally, I have found exercise to be my form of therapy. If I am having a bad day or am feeling stressed out, I know that I will feel better after I get my workout in. While there is the benefit of endorphins being released, I do find that I feel better because I chose to show up for myself. Exercise is also a form of self-care for me. I listen to my body and adapt the training volume and intensity to ensure that I train safely and avoid injuring myself. Although I typically train by myself as do not like to be distracted and want to be as quick and efficient as I can in the gym, I have found the sense of camaraderie amongst other gym-goers to be special. Having that social support whether you get a new personal best or fail a lift can be comforting to know.

Whether you like training alone or with a group of friends, you can’t deny the benefits you get - physically and mentally!

JOIN OUR CLASSES COMMUNITY

If you're looking for fun, high-energy workouts that will make you feel healthier, fitter and more energised, why don't you try out our Indoor and Outdoor Classes? Sign up below for 10 Day Intro Pass for just $49!

Get 7 Days Intro Pass

 

 

avatar

UFIT Singapore

We are a team of experienced coaches and clinicians who provide an integrated health and fitness community for people striving to achieve their goals.

RELATED ARTICLES