Sweat It Out, Stress It Away: The Mental Health Perks of Joining a Gym

Sweat It Out, Stress It Away: The Mental Health Perks of Joining a Gym

You already know that exercise is good for your body, increasing circulation and reducing overall body mass but did you know how good exercise is for your mental health? Exercise has myriad benefits for your mind, from improving sleep to helping you deal with anxiety and stress. Joining a gym has social benefits too, helping you to meet new people with similar interests. Osprey Leisure Club in Naas is the perfect place to start your fitness journey and improve your mental health. Check our website for more information on membership or speak to one of our team of professional trainers to get started.

Camaraderie

Exercise outside of a gym can be isolating. You’re so focused on yourself and likely have earphones in so you’re unlikely to meet anyone new or get chatting. By attending a gym regularly and being consistent with your timetable, you’re more likely to meet new people and start conversations. You can ask someone about their gym gear, about a new move you’ve never seen before or just chat about the weather; it's all easier to do with a familiar face. Attending classes can help you feel like you’re part of a community. Even if you don’t make friends right away, being outside and interacting with people will help you grow in confidence.

Endorphins

You’ve probably heard the saying ‘You never regret a workout’ and there is a reason for that. That post-gym ‘high’ you feel is endorphins – or happy hormones – floating around your body. These naturally produced chemicals react in the brain to reduce pain and increase pleasure, although they don’t last long enough to counteract the dreaded DOMs! Endorphins help to counter anxiety and depression and act as a natural medication. 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%. It's important to acknowledge that exercise is not a cure for these issues but helps to ease the symptoms if done regularly.

Self-Esteem

Whether intentional or not, working out affects your body. You may lose weight, feel more toned or enjoy better muscle definition as a result of continuous and regular exercise. You’ll feel better in clothes and may become more confident in wearing bolder patterns or designsdesigns. These positive bodily changes will likely draw attention from peers who will compliment your new physique. As your self-esteem improves, you may find yourself more confident at work, in dating, in relationships and in social situations.

Better Sleep

Sleep is one of life's essential ingredients and the benefit of a good night's sleep cannot be overstated. Exercise can invigorate but also tire out your body and muscles. Regular exercise means you’ll likely have deeper and more undisturbed sleep more often. The quality of your sleep will improve allowing your body and mind to regenerate quicker. Good quality sleep is especially important to those living with mental health struggles like depression, insomnia, anxiety, and other disorders. Exercise is nature's alternative to sleeping medication.

Resilience

Exercise is hard work. If it's not, you’re probably not doing it right! Facing challenges in your workout routine can test your mental and physical strength. Exercise can help you build resilience to challenges in your everyday life which may be related to mental health, stress, addiction, or many other negative behaviours. Regular exercise can also help boost your immune system and make you more resilient to germs and viruses. Aerobic exercise that gets your heart rate up can be beneficial for stress resilience and slows down the ageing process, so you stay active for longer.

Osprey Leisure Club in Naas is the place to start your fitness journey and improve your mental health. We have membership options to suit everyone which include access to our swimming pool and thermal suites – the perfect place to unwind after a tough session. We tailor programmes to suit your wants and needs and offer private and semi-private training upon request. Contact one of our team In our leisure club in Naas to get started.

How to Introduce Your Child to Water

One of the best parts of being a parent is watching your child play happily and safely in water. Taking your kids to the beach can be a highlight of a child’s summer and creates memories that they will treasure forever. Children as young as six months old can be introduced to water and learn how to swim however, not all children take to water with enthusiasm and every child reacts differently. Here are some of Osprey Leisure Clubs’ top tips for introducing a child to water gently and safely.

Water Safety First

The most important aspect of a parent introducing a child to water is teaching them about water safety. Parents or guardians should be well-practised and educated in water safety and what to do in case of an emergency. Being armed with knowledge will help you to relax and feel more confident in the water, feelings that your child will pick up on and mimic. If you are one of the many adults that does not know how to swim, you might consider lessons before you get into the pool with your child; It’s never too late to learn. Give your child the option to use swimming aids and floats, making sure you know how to use them properly before you begin. If it’s your very first time it might be best to have a second adult that your child is comfortable with in the pool with you for support.

Start Small

The best way to introduce a child to anything is gently. Don’t overwhelm them with too much excitement or stimulation and take things very slowly the first time. Start by ensuring they are comfortable with water at home by teaching them to wash their hands and face or take a bath. Take them to the pool, making sure to build anticipation along the way so they know this is an enjoyable experience. If the child is very small, you’ll need a shallow heated pool. Sit them along the edge of the pool, splashing their legs. Give them a water-appropriate toy to play with beside the pool and if they let you, sprinkle some water on their head. The main point is to build trust in the process, so the child is comfortable at each stage and happy to move on to the next stage.

Go at their pace

As many of us know, parenting is never a straight line. Something they love one week they might hate the next – sometimes multiple times a day! If your child is struggling with water, never force them to get in. An alternative might be to bring them along to the pool so they can see the other children having fun in the pool. This might be enough to remind them that the pool is a fun place and be reassured enough to give it another go. Setting a routine of swimming lessons of pool visits will give them an idea of what to expect and allows them to become more comfortable. It’s important not to force your child into the water. Doing so might trigger a fear, phobia or aversion to water that may last well into adulthood.

Professional Help

If you’re not confident in the water or your child senses panic, those feelings will underpin all of their experiences in the water. If you feel you need additional support for your child, you can engage in swimming lessons. Lessons grow children’s confidence and ability in water as well as their water safety etiquette. Osprey Leisure Club offers children’s swimming lessons in our Naas swimming pool for levels 1 to 6. We take children from four years onwards to enjoy group swimming lessons and swim camps for all abilities. Our instructors are qualified and experienced working with children and are happy to pass on tips and advice for parents to pass on to their little ones when swimming together.

Remember, children should never be left unattended in or around water, not even a shallow pool, for any length of time. Enquire about children’s swimming lessons in Naas or membership in the fantastic Osprey Leisure Club & Gym by calling 045-881333. We’d be happy to discuss your needs and offer services to suit.

Overnight Oats: Recipe

Ingredients

40g porridge oats

100g vanilla fat free yogurt

Frozen strawberries & raspberries

12g 70% dark chocolate

Sweet freedom caramel syrup

Method

Step one:

Put 40g porridge oats into a small jar.

Step two:

Weigh 100g of fat free yogurt and cover the oats.

Step three:

Add your favourite frozen fruit.

Step four:

Add 12g of 70% dark chocolate

Step five:

Add any low calorie syrup.

Step six:

Pop into the fridge and enjoy the next morning.

Check out our step by step Instagram reel here - https://bit.ly/3E0dFym