Impact of Physical Exercise on Mental Health: Analytical Essay

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Introduction

Health is a crucial aspect of an individual’s life. Given the rise in lifestyle diseases, it has now become more important to monitor your health as a person by maintaining a healthy lifestyle (Kemper, 2013). Body health is what many people may focus on but there is more to health than just a healthy body. The human mind plays a very critical role in our daily lives and it would be unwise to ignore this fact. A healthy mind would translate to a healthy body because many diseases have been attributed to stress. And one of the areas which lead to stress is an unstable mind. At first, stress may not have serious repercussions but if it goes on unchecked there is a likelihood that it will lead to a chain of diseases both psychological and physical. Suicide is one of the leading social ills across the country and the causes stem from uncontrolled cases of stress. Stress levels are a result of life challenges that individuals and the community have failed to handle. As such, some individuals decide to take their own lives after failing to find a way out and the only solution they can see is to commit suicide. Suicides have been reported in schools, at home, in colleges, and even in offices and this is an indicator of how important mental health is.

Background of the Study

Slusher & Acevedo (2019), suggest a tried and tested approach to solving most of the lifestyle diseases together with such mental health problems facing our society today. Physical exercise has been found to be very beneficial in maintaining a healthy body and mind. Conventional ways of exercising include participating in various sports such as soccer, basketball, and volleyball among other sports. These have proved potent in the quest for better health in society. However, with the advancement in technology, there is yet a better and complementary way of exercising (Andreasson & Johansson, 2014). A gym is a way to go for most of the exercises because it suits almost every individual, especially those who may find it hard to participate in sporting activities. A gym has all sorts of equipment suitable for all manner of exercise. It is with this in mind that Grambling State University should consider putting up a fully equipped gym to promote healthy lifestyles for the students and the staff.

GSU has gym charges included in the fee bill but there is no gym around the university. This is worrying given the number of students who may want to exercise. Lifestyle diseases and mental illnesses are on the rise and most can be attributed to the lack of physical exercise yet studies suggest a positive relationship between exercise and healthy lifestyles. There is a general consensus that exercise reduces stress and anxiety, boosts energy levels in the body, minimizes the chances of chronic lifestyle diseases, enhances brain and skin health, and promotes strength of the muscles and bones (Lamonte, Kozlowski & Cerny, n.d.). These few are just examples of how physical exercise can shape the health of an individual. A gym will ensure that all these benefits are achieved because it provides a platform for students and staff to exercise.

Setting up a gym at GSU has the ultimate effect of promoting the health of individuals within the university. The cost of treatment of diseases will probably decline because instead of treating the diseases will be prevented through physical exercise. Unruly behavior will also reduce because individuals will be leading happy lives devoid of stress (Franklin, 1997). Conflicts are rare in a happy community and the gym will deliver this happiness. The fact that GSU does not have a gym is surprising. But then looking at the cost and resources involved in developing and maintaining a gym it is almost obvious why the university is yet to consider such a useful facility. A university like GSU has many needs competing for limited resources and the management o the university is left with no choice but to evaluate the different projects in light of existing funds. A gym is one such project and its cost may be the real reason why the university is not even in a hurry to put up a simple one with a little equipment. Building a gym facility from a group up is an expensive undertaking that requires an estimated $200 per square foot. The cost may exceed the projection considering other factors such as location. Construction will require the university to spend several million on the project before it can even purchase a single piece of equipment.

The population of the GSU fraternity who may be in need of a gym is large and purchasing the requisite equipment to meet the needs of such a population is overwhelming for the university considering the different competing needs. GSU management has far more pressing projects which require their attention and finances. As a consequence, constructing and equipping a gym may not top the priority list of projects to be invested in. However, the benefits of a gym should be weighed against the costs so as to debunk any misconceptions which might be preventing the setting up of a gym (Andreasson & Johansson, 2014). This can only be ascertained by carrying out research on the need for a gym at GSU. As much as establishing a fitness facility may be costly the health benefits of the facility may as well exceed the cost.

Significance of Study

The importance of a fitness facility at GSU may have been underestimated for far too long. This is despite the growing and widespread debate concerning wellness and general fitness. My study is intended to rekindle the fitness awareness debate on health and wellness within the campus with the hope that it will prompt management to consider the need for a fitness center around the school. Students and staff are especially in need of a place where they can refresh and exercise with the focus to remain healthy in the face of rising cases of chronic diseases. Studies indicate that most of these diseases are preventable and this is mostly through physical exercise among other healthy habits. Physical and mental health has been highlighted by many studies as the key to solving many problems both physical and psychological (Slusher & Acevedo, 2019).

My study seeks to further the research already done on the topic with the ultimate objective of ensuring a physically and mentally fit population at GSU. Diabetes and high blood pressure are some of the chronic diseases which can be avoided through regular exercise. The diseases are now very common more than ever and this should be a wake-up call to stakeholders in various sectors including the management of GSU. The current generation of young people are consumers of too much chunk food which is a recipe for serious health problems. This comes at a time when physical activity is dwindling as a result of cheap and efficient transportation networks. The trend is worrying and my study attempts to build a case aimed at encouraging healthy living through physical exercise (Andreasson & Johansson 2014). Health-related matters cannot be downplayed because of the devastating effects they can have on an individual and the community as a whole. This study is therefore centered upon the framework of maintaining and promoting healthy lifestyles and specifically among the students at GSU. The major goal is to persuade university management to allocate funds and other resources to building a fitness center to help achieve the objectives of a healthy community within the university and beyond.

The impact of a gym in GSU

A fully equipped fitness facility in GSU will transform the university in a number of ways. First, students who have been left out will have a platform to boost their physical and mental health through exercise (Acevedo, 2012). The wellness and fitness of such students will change for the better. Many students in the university have exposed themselves to a lot of chunk food and they are facing the threat of chronic diseases. The diseases are associated with obesity and too much fat and cholesterol in the body. A fitness center is will help individuals to monitor and control their weights because there is equipment which is dedicated to weight loss. A gym would be a savior because it gives such students an opportunity to escape from the bondage associated with the diseases. The gym will ensure that physical fitness is promoted within the campus environment. Individuals will be able to build strong muscles and bones which is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle.

Secondly, the university will be full of happy individuals. Several studies show that there is a positive correlation between physical exercise and happiness. Some scientific explanations suggest that hormones that are associated with happiness are stimulated through physical exercise. It is therefore expected that with the increase in physical activity and the number of individuals exercising a complete mood change will be experienced. The campus vicinity will be transformed into a happy family because of the decline in levels of stress among the students. Finally, a fitness center needs personnel who will guide the students attending the gym. These opportunities can be offered to students so they can earn as they study. Such an employment opportunity for students is a benefit that may appear insignificant but it still brings financial freedom to several students.

Unlike other physical exercises gained through sports, a fully equipped fitness center is comprehensive in nature and offers more than normal exercises. For instance, football enables an individual to burn calories faster given its rigorous nature but it may not strengthen bones and all muscles. Additionally, football may not attract most people but suits only a few people. Such challenges experienced in out-of-the-gym exercises are the reason why my study is focused on a more comprehensive approach to physical exercise. A gym favors all kinds of people and is, therefore, a very important facility that should have been established in the university a long time ago. Personally, I love outdoor activities but some of my friends have not been exercising because they look out of place and feel neglected for it. A fitness center would do for such individuals and with a gym, in GSU they can have a piece of their physical exercise like the rest of us.

Impact on Student Health

A healthy nation is a productive nation. Lots of resources are expended on the treatment of preventable diseases and this is not a good statistic at all. Physical exercise is cheaper than the cost of receiving medical attention and the GSU community should embrace the idea of a gym within the precincts of the university as a way of avoiding unnecessary medical care costs. The physical exercise offered in the gym will go a long way in promoting good health among students. Students will have the chance to exercise and in so doing build strong muscles and bones as they also burn excess calories which can cause obesity. Fitness equipment is designed to enable individuals to achieve different objectives including; muscle building, weight reduction, and general body strength among others. Consequently, students at GSU will enjoy such benefits and in essence build a good foundation for better health even in their old age.

A gym facility at GSU will have a positive impact both on the body health and the mental health of students. Exercise in a well-fitted gym is a step towards good body health. Workouts in a gym result in strong bones and muscles. For instance, weightlifting stimulates muscle building. Weight loss is also guaranteed by regular gym exercises. There is a general perception that physical exercise is only beneficial to an individual’s body and many ignore the fact that exercise is as important for mental health (Slusher & Acevedo, 2019) as it is for body health. The understanding is that since the action is physical it only translates to an improvement of the body. However, research proves the perception wrong. The reason is that physical exercise stimulates body hormones such as serotonin and the hormones are known to relieve anxiety and stress. Physical exercise also improves brain activity and extensions mental health. Exercise increases the heart rate which ensures the flow of blood and oxygen into the brain is enhanced. Further, some chronic diseases are known to affect the brain. Physical exercise prevents such diseases and this is a boost to mental health.

Change in Lifestyle

Unhealthy lifestyles are common at GSU. For example, most students exercise despite their constant consumption of chunk food. A gym around the school will change this trend for the better because many students are expected to participate in unlimited physical exercise. Their limitations are as to the number of physical exercises one can engage in but with a well-equipped gym facility, it becomes easy to participate. This change in lifestyle will rid the school of unhealthy behaviors. As more and more individuals join the gym the threat of chronic diseases becomes less imminent. Additionally, overweight students will be able to reduce their weight by utilizing the facilities in the gym. Regular gym exercises help in boosting the metabolic rate of an individual and this enhances the rate at which calories are burnt (Twisk & Ferreira, 2013). The end result is weight loss. Generally, a fitness and wellness facility at GSU will transform student lifestyles in a big way. The gym opens up a window for students to exercise and as such avoid chronic diseases. Physical exercise in the gym will also help overweight students in shedding off some weight which could otherwise lead to costly health problems.

Conclusion

The health of the body and mind is all a student needs to successfully complete their studies. Enjoying good health should be the aim of every student on campus. My study focuses on the benefits associated with a fully equipped gym facility within the GSU environment. The surrounding community may as well benefit from the facility but my main target is the student fraternity at the university. GSU has tried its level best by providing certain facilities which can help in boosting physical activity in the university. However, much needs to be done to change the lifestyles of students, improve their health and offer them meaningful work to boost their financial health.

Improving the health of students is the main purpose of the gym facility. Several studies are in support of a gym in a community seeking to lead a healthy life. The research indicates physical exercise boosts mental health as it does body health. Strong muscles and bones as well as enhanced metabolic rate are some of the positive results of good body health. Such results can only be attained with a fitness center. Mental health is also another spillover of physical exercise. Physical activity stimulates brain hormones which are good for relaxing the brain hence reducing anxiety and stress. According to Twisk & Ferreira (2013), exercise also promotes metabolic rate hence increasing blood flow into the brain. This ensures that the brain is well oxygenated improving its activity.

Many students have adopted unhealthy lifestyles either knowingly or unknowingly but either way, the lifestyles are recipes for chronic diseases. Physical activity in the university is minimal since most students do not participate in physical exercises. This is despite the continuous consumption of chunk food. These are serious lifestyle issues that should change as soon as a gym is established. The gym will expand the choice of physical activities students can engage in and this will prompt previously inactive students into active participation in physical exercises. Also, the gym will offer job opportunities to students.

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