KIN 122 Mental Health Podcast: Jonathan W. Brianna K. Karson K.

The podcast discusses the relationship between mental health and physical activity. Physical exercise helps relieve stress by producing a relaxation response. The hosts share personal experiences and discuss research that shows how physical activity reduces states of anxiety and depression. They mention that exercise can be a distraction and also provide a social aspect. They talk about the therapeutic benefits of exercise and how it can be comparable to psychotherapeutic interventions. They emphasize that exercise is not a cure for mental illnesses, but it can help reduce symptoms. They also mention the importance of finding a balance and avoiding overtraining, as it can lead to burnout and depression. The hosts share their favorite forms of exercise and discuss the guilt they sometimes feel when they don't work out. They also highlight the impact of weather on their motivation to exercise. Overall, they are surprised by how much physical activity affects all aspects of their lives an Welcome to our first and our last podcast. My name is Brianna. Hi, my name is Jonathan. And my name is Carson. And today we'll be talking about the relationship between mental health and physical activity. Did you know that movement and exercise helps relieve stress? It does this by producing a relaxation response which serves as a positive distraction. I personally, when I was like growing up, I never thought about how physical activity could help reduce a mental illness. Like I knew that it released endorphins or whatever but I didn't necessarily like know what that meant. Like after working out I would feel good but I didn't realize like the depth that it could go into. Yeah and like for a lot of people I think, especially me sometimes, like I see working out as kind of like almost like a chore. But like I never regret going to the gym and going and like being active. Like I always feel good afterwards. Mm-hmm. Yeah, I definitely can relate to it feeling like a chore because the first time I was like working out in a gym was because I played like baseball, like varsity baseball, so we'd always have to pitch in it. And I fucking hated it. Yeah. I was like this is hell. But I would, I do, would remember like feeling good like strong as fuck. I'm like, oh yeah, it's amazing. Yeah, especially like when you're growing up and like if you're not like an athletic kid or like you're not into that but your parents kind of like force you into that. Yeah. Just like kind of put the negative like association in your head and just kind of you don't enjoy it. Yeah, absolutely. Okay, so some facts that we learned. I mean a lot of articles that I was reading like this one, like published in the National Library of Medicine, reports of studies conducted that physical activity reduces states of anxiety and depression. And this is kind of just like all the articles that we were looking at, they're kind of saying the same thing. Yeah, I think like a lot of the facts that it all kind of says the same stuff, but like not that exercising is gonna like make your depression, anxiety, whatever, just completely go away, but like it's gonna reduce at least a little bit and kind of it's almost like a distraction kind of method. Yeah. And especially like if you go and work out in groups, it also plays that like social aspect to where you can make connections and like kind of get out there more. Oh for sure. Yeah, oh yeah, like it's actually a pretty good comparison because it's kind of like when you're kind of feeling down but then you like spend time with your friends and everything is like very like therapeutic. And like that reminds me of like a study from like the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, like they basically compared like the like mental benefits, like therapeutic benefits of like exercising. They said it's like comparable and it's effect on depression to like quote-unquote psychotherapeutic like interventions, which is pretty interesting. It's like kind of like a therapy in a sense. From like what it seems like or from what I've gathered, I could be wrong, but like there's just no cure to mental illnesses. So like this, especially being free, like therapy is obviously not free, but like working out is something that you can do like whenever, wherever, however. It's like very can be depending on the person. And it can be as simple as just literally like going outside for a walk. Like you don't have to go to the gym, you can literally like kind of make your own physical activity, whether it's just like going to play basketball on one of the outside courts. And in this article, according to two mental analysis studies by both the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology and the British Medical Journal, the beneficial effects of exercise on depression are comparable to psychotherapeutic interventions. So like we're saying, it's like, it's so, it can be so helpful and that it's like comparable to like getting professional treatment. Yeah. Yeah. Which is kind of cool to think about. It's like a really interesting fact. I didn't think, like I knew that I would feel good and like confident after like, you know, going hard in the gym. Like I didn't think it was like comparable to like a genuine like therapy session or whatnot. Yeah. I mean, now that I think about it though, in my workouts, like when I'm listening to music and my, with my headphones, I'm not really thinking about anything. Yes. That's exactly how I feel. And it's so weird to like, that's, that's able to happen. Yeah. And like, I think about this all the time and I see this on TikTok all the time where people are like, you will regret not going to the gym one day, but you will never regret going. Like even if you have to get up and like force yourself to go, you will never regret how you feel afterwards. And like, I think about that all the time because it does just feel so good. Like, cause then like my body just can relax afterwards. I'm like, wow, I did good today. What do you think is like your guys' like favorite form of exercise? My favorite form of exercise? Like what do you mean by like form of exercise? Well, so for me, I'm like, I really dislike running. Like I find, like if I'm running, I will be thinking like a million things and just not in a good way either. And I just get so bored and like, I'm just like focused on like, oh, I hate this. Like when I'm, when I'm lifting, I don't like, I feel like better about myself. And also like, I think it just helps me more. So like in that aspect, I prefer weightlifting over running, but like obviously both are. I 100% relate on that because I'm like absolutely the same. Like running, it just makes me like stupid tired. And like, you're right, like your mind, like when you're running, you're not really thinking too much. It's like, okay, like I'm doing this for like a long time. So your mind like kind of wanders. But when I'm weightlifting, I really like it because what I like about weightlifting is more like the progression aspect. Like you come to the gym and next week, you can lift a little bit more than you did the other week, or like it's easier to do this, or you can increase the reps. I feel like it's really nice. And it's definitely great for my mental health because it like feels like I'm like being productive and I'm like getting some shit done. It's always like really like a great feeling to be like, oh, I can like lift more than I could the other week. Yeah, that's how I feel too. Like running honestly, like kind of stresses me out more in a way, just because I'm like, oh, I have to like make this time and do this good when I'm running or oh my gosh, what if these people see me running? Am I like I run weird or whatever. But yeah, same with weightlifting. Like, I don't know, it's almost like a self esteem kind of thing for me because like, I'm like, I'm trying something new. Pretty much anytime I go to the gym, and I'm like, wow, I'm like so proud of myself. Like I'm doing so good. And again, like just getting stronger each time I go. I mean, yes. So sorry, I'm just going to switch the subject because I was just reading this fact that we have. The handbook of sports psychology recognizes the positive influence of exercise on mental health, but also reveals that overtraining in athletes leads to experiences of depression and burnout. Do you think you guys have experienced something like that, where like you've overworked yourself and you're like... Yeah, definitely. I would definitely bring that back to when I was conditioning for baseball in high school. Like, is they like, I really like working out on my own time and like working until I feel like I'm finished. But when I was like conditioning, like you don't really leave until the coach says like you can leave. So I just have to keep going. And like, they wouldn't let you do like, like small things, like they would make sure they worked you out. So I would be like so exhausted. That's kind of why like I started off with like a negative kind of like perception of like going to the gyms. It's like, damn, like I'm really just like, it really was like a chore. So I think when you do too much, especially like more than your body can handle, I could actually like fully understand that. You kind of feel like a failure. It's like, oh, like, you know like how you would be lifting and then you would like lift for too long or you'd like, you try to like do another rep with the same weights and then it's like you can't lift it anymore. It sucks, dude. Yeah, like one day it will move like that. And then the others, it's just it doesn't. Yeah. Yeah, that's kind of the same thing. I played volleyball in high school. And like, I see a lot of things again, like on TikTok, or even I have a couple of friends in different colleges that are doing like softball, tennis, whatever. And they just are feeling so much burnout from their sport, just because they're trying to balance like, obviously, their school life, they have a job, they also have practices three times a day, like 6am at noon, and then at like 3pm, and then also have like tournaments. And they're like, we're just being so overworked. And like, they said that it was like draining to them, and that they didn't even like, want to play anymore. And it was a sport that they've played since they were like, eight, nine, 10 years old. Like all of that on top of like, having a social life, too, I think that's a huge part of college. And like not being able to like, kind of not handle it, but like you're not able to handle like all of it, it just seems like a lot. And but yeah, I think you definitely can overwork yourself and overwork your body. Yeah, I think it really comes down to like mentality, like how you kind of view exercising, because like, in my case, when I was conditioning, I was like, I was doing it because I had to. But like, nowadays, I do it because I want to. I think it's kind of like cooking, like when you're cooking because you have to, it's like sucks. Cooking is like, oh, like, I really want to be mom and so it's like, it's like a completely different experience, I'd say. Yeah, I agree. Well, but sometimes also like, um, do you guys ever like feel guilty for not working out? Yes. I feel guilty right now. Like, it's so weird how it could be so beneficial, but also like, so like, can make you feel bad at the same time. Yeah. Like, do you guys all like experience it where it's like, if you don't work out for like two or three days, like you feel like, it's really you feel like low energy or like weak or something? Yeah, for sure. I feel like, and obviously, I know, like, I'm not gonna gain 10 pounds of two days not working out or even a week of not working out. But I seriously feel like I'm like, oh my gosh, like I've lost all this muscle. I've been working to like all this progress. And like my boyfriend was telling me, he's like, you like, that's not gonna happen. Taking a rest day is not gonna affect you that much. Like you need the rest, like you're gonna go crazy if you don't get at least one day of rest. Yeah. And also, like, I don't know about you guys, but I mean, you guys probably do the same thing. But I like try to PR as like as often as I can. And if I'm like, consistently lifting, like, for like five days straight or whatever, and then I try to PR like, it's not really gonna happen because like, my muscles are just worked. So you need that break in between to like, let your muscles heal. So then you can come back at your strongest. But yeah, it's just, it's interesting how it could be on both sides. But obviously, we're talking about how it benefits us. Yeah, like everything is like really nuanced. But I think that's, I think it's just life in general. Like it's never just, if you always go to the gym, like it's always going to be a positive experience. Like you kind of have to like balance things with physical health and mental health. Because it's like a constant state of things. Everything's changing. I wonder if you like get diagnosed with a mental disorder like depression or whatever, or anxiety, if they like will literally say like, you should go work out. I mean, they probably don't say it like that. Okay, so one of my friends, because they've had really bad anxiety, like pretty much all their life. I didn't, none of my family really struggled with that. So I didn't really like, know what it was or like what it was like to have anxiety until I met her. And she told me that she like went to a new therapist and they're like, Oh, you need to try working out like trying to be more active, get your body moving. And she was like, I don't like to work out like I don't like to do that. And she's like, it's not going to be beneficial to me because I don't like that. But then she does say she'll be like, I just went on like a five minute walk and I just feel so much better about my day. I had such like cloudy mind. Now it's all just like clear. And so, yeah, I mean, I also like this is kind of off topic. But like, if I were to go on a walk, like in the 20 degree like weather outside, I'm probably going to feel worse after coming back. And it's so interesting. I guess this is so off topic. I don't know why you're talking about this. Like, the weather can just like completely change my mood. Yes, absolutely. I feel like I'm more likely to work out like harder, more intense, more often when it's like nice weather, because then I can also do stuff outside. Yeah. And then I feel more productive. Like when it's nice, I'm like, okay, like I want to be outside. I want to do this and this like take advantage of this weather. Yeah, it's all like crappy outside and cold. I'm just like, I'm just gonna stay in like I'm gonna watch a movie and pretty much not doing anything with my day. Yeah, absolutely. And then that affects my mood so much. Like, anytime I'm just like sitting scrolling on my phone for like hours, which is so bad, but I do that. And I'm just like sit there. I'm like, I am in a horrible mood. Like I need to get up and do something. For sure. Yeah, like that reminds me because like there was like a report from the like Mayo Clinic that basically said that like plan and unplanned like physical activity, like, like Brianna said, like Reese's endorphins kind of takes your mind off of like worries. It builds confidence. It can help like you cope with things. Like I remember like without even knowing it, I remember like my sister was like, was like having like really bad anxiety one day. So I was like, hey, like we haven't like rode our bikes since we were kids. Like we should go by the lake and like ride a bike by the lake. And she's really not into it. But I like basically like dragged her out there. And after we did it, like she was feeling so much better. Like after that and everything. It was a very like therapeutic experience for her. She's like, I want to do this like more often. So like without, like after like taking the class, I'm like, I actually just like, now I kind of understand like why that kind of happened. Because I was surprised. I was like, oh, okay. I just wanted to ride my bike by the lake. But like now I kind of understand like what's going on behind the scenes and like why it's kind of happening. I guess I'm also just kind of surprised at like how much like physical activity affects quite literally every aspect in our lives. Like this, what this class is teaching us, like literally everything, like every disease, every, like literally everything in your life. And we never would have thought. Like if I wouldn't have taken this class, I would have just went on with my day and like, I don't know, like just thinking about again how literally it affects everything. Yeah. It's just so insane. And how basically like we kind of have control of like our mental health, our physical health, our social health, like everything. All aspects of our life is just through being active. Yeah, I think it's interesting because like I feel like the main reason why like we and other people don't really know how much physical activity impacts all the aspects of your life, because like when you're like physically active, like you don't notice when you don't like have a stroke or like, you know, you don't notice when that doesn't happen. You just notice when it does. And then one time you like realize like, oh shit, like I had like an aneurysm or something. It's like, well you know, ten years back, you could have like hit the gym or something. It's like, oh they're telling me now. Yeah. I mean, it's kind of mind-blowing. But also, I forget like what the term is, but oh, it's something, locus of control. I have an external locus of control, so like I kind of think that like I don't have control of situations, like it's just like things are just like gonna happen the way they're gonna happen. So like hearing this is just kind of like blowing my mind like, oh god, like I do actually have control. And that's what I think about all the time. I'm kind of the same way. I'm like, whatever's gonna happen is gonna happen. I have no control of like whether or not I'm gonna do good on an exam or do something like that. And I'm like, girl, you just have to study. Yeah, you just have to go like try and if you fail, whatever, at least you tried. Yeah. Yeah, dude, it's great that you brought that up because I was like, I'm taking like psychology and like this at the same time, and I always thought that they were like mutually exclusive, but like the more I learned in psychology, like I would hear like how the mind affects the body, like your mental state can like physically affect you. And then I go to like kinesiology, and it's like, oh, like the things you do physically can also affect like the state of mind. It's like they're like really intertwined, and they basically like work together, like create who you are. And it's like really interesting just learning about like all the little like things and how they like interact with one another. Yeah, and like when I think about it, it like makes so much sense. Like, of course, like it's like we're all like one body. Of course, they're all gonna work. It's all gonna work together, but just like actually thinking about it, or not even just like kind of thinking about it for a second, you're just like, whoa. Yes, that's basically like when I stepped into this class, I was like, this is like a whole new world. Like, I'm just like in awe. Like, what the heck is going on? Oh, yeah. All right. Well, thank you for listening to our podcast. I hope you have learned something new. And all right. Thank you.