Losing weight seems like something that’s on everyone’s mind. When we’re losing weight, it’s easy to forget how it’s impacting our mental health. Getting in shape is great for our mental health. Here are a few reasons why.
Healthier Gut Microbiome
First and foremost, you’ll have a much better microbiome in your gut. That’s where many of our neurotransmitters enter our bloodstream. Usually, your gut is home to a ton of different organisms. Some of them are good for us, while others are bad. Overweight people tend to have more of the unhealthy bacteria living in their gut. When people lose weight, it causes a shift in the gut’s microbiome. You’ll end up with a lot more healthy bacteria living in there. They’ll work hard to ensure your body has all the nutrients it needs to function optimally.
Optimal Hormone Profiles
Another reason people report poor mental health when they’re overweight is imbalanced hormones. Many of our hormones respond to what we’re eating, increasing and decreasing production. People don’t always realize that’s what’s making them feel bad. But, hormones trigger a lot of our feelings throughout the day. Ghrelin is responsible for making us feel hungry. When we’re overweight, we produce too much of it. Also, we don’t make as much testosterone when we’re too heavy, either. That’s responsible for muscle mass and confidence. If you haven’t been confident lately, it might be due to a lack of testosterone. Losing weight could help you restore your body’s natural balance of that hormone.
Improved Self Image
Nothing has a bigger impact on our mental health than ourselves. When we’re able to look into the mirror confidently, we’ll feel good about ourselves. If we’re avoiding the mirror, there’s a good chance we’re not feeling the best. Getting rid of excess weight is a simple way to improve your self-image. That’s why so many people have had bariatric surgery. Reducing the size of your stomach makes it easier to notice when you’re feeling full. So, you’ll be much less tempted to eat more than you should. At the end of the day, you’ll be able to lose weight without having to put in as much effort.
Better-Fitting Clothes
Shopping for new clothes can be exciting, but it isn’t always. Trying to find nice-fitting clothes can be a huge headache if you’re carrying a little bit too much weight. By shedding a few pounds, you could keep wearing all your old clothes. Plus, they’d fit even better than they did when you first got them. Looking at yourself in the mirror seems nicer when you’ve got properly-fitted clothing. It won’t hang off your body like it would if it were too large. And, they’re not going to restrict your movement, either. They’ll compliment your body’s natural shape and proportions. You’ll notice the difference as soon as you’re done putting them on. It’ll make you feel like standing in front of the mirror for longer than usual. It’s almost like it’s had a magnet planted into it, drawing you closer.
Enhanced Cardio and Stamina
One of the best things about losing weight would be how it impacts your body. Throughout the day, we don’t always get a ton of physical activity. If you’re working in an office, you might not have too much around much at all during your workday. However, when you’ve lost weight, you’ll see how much easier moving can be. You’ll never hesitate when someone recommends taking the stairs. Instead, you’ll shoot up them without taking a second breath. By the time you reach the top, you’ll recognize how much faster you’re able to climb them. That’s all because of the weight you’ve lost. You’re not carrying as much up the stairs while you’re climbing them anymore.
Being Active and Eating Healthy Helps Anxiety and Depression
Not only does eating healthy regularly help with self-image and confidence it also helps alleviate anxiety and depression. Before considering going on anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication, you should try to eat healthier and work out regularly before taking this step. It may be difficult at first, but after you get into the routine your changed hormones will start to take effect. When exercising we release dopamine and serotonin improving our mood. Exercising also reduces our cortisol and adrenaline levels (the chemicals that cause stress). If you give it a try, you may be very surprised how much being physically active and the types of food consumed affect your mental health.
How Losing Weight Improves Your Mental Health
Mental health is one of our most valuable resources. Without it, we’d be stuck in our bedrooms, lamenting the day. Improve your mental health by taking care of your body better, promoting weight loss. After you’ve lost a decent amount of weight, you’ll feel more confident, and being in shape will send good hormones through your brain. The routine of working out and eating right will also jumpstart your day to be productive.
