Running against insomnia, yoga for anxiety, anti-stress boxing ... Every problem has its exercise

Putting on your gloves and getting into a ring to punch left and right is much more than good

for your muscles.

In addition to toning - both the arms, the

and the legs -, burning calories and fighting cellulite, boxing is a perfect sport for the mind: it helps improve analytical qualities and builds self-confidence.

There are many studies that corroborate these beneficial effects of boxing on mental health", explains Elena Dapra, clinical psychologist and spokesperson for the Official College of Psychologists of Madrid (COPM), who adds that in effect "it is empowering and helps to reinforce self-esteem and self-worth. This is why it can be good for people who are prone to depression. "

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The word "trend" is not chosen at random.

“We all have them, and they appear when we go through bad times.

For example, when someone who is prone to anxiety goes through a bump, they will feel anxiety.

But

”, says the expert, who adds that in these cases the sport will not work.

"If you have a disorder or a problem you have to go to the psychologist to treat it."

All exercise, in general, helps maintain good mental health.

"Physical activity improves concentration and mental acuity," explains Pablo del Río, high-performance sports psychologist and member of the COPM.

And some specific disciplines marry better with some trends, continues this expert: "

."

Those of contact, such as boxing or

, "

also

", explains Rafael San Román, psychologist of the psychology application iFeel.

But in the face of stress, it is not only worth hitting, it is also positive to learn to relax.

As the COPM spokesperson explains, this is because this feeling "is part of the same group as anxiety or panic attacks, which have very physical symptoms such as shortness of breath or muscle tension."

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Hence,

.

“It helps control breathing, which is one of the symptoms that triggers and feeds back when anxiety is felt.

I feel like I'm drowning, I get nervous and then I feel more drowning.

In disciplines such as yoga, you learn to breathe and relax, two things that are also used in cognitive behavioral therapy to treat anxiety ”, clarifies the expert.

In the list of exercises for mental health, there are activities such as Pilates, where concentration is essential.

With it,

hormones that help put us in a good mood and see things in a more positive way.

These are qualities that, according to experts, can benefit in case of suffering from two of the most common mental disorders: anxiety and panic attacks.

Another example is

for insomnia problems.

“

because it is an exercise that increases the heart rate.

Making it go up during the day helps it move and go down at night, something that is essential to have a better quality of rest ”, adds Dapra.

In this sense, all those sports that are considered cardio would be valid, such as riding a bike.

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Not all exercise has to be done alone.

On the contrary, sports that are played as a team such as soccer are of great help for those who find it more difficult to relate.

“

because it forces them to row in the same direction, to learn to read other people's codes, to communicate, to practice empathy and everything they have to do. do with emotional intelligence.

You are not born knowing anything about this, they are acquired abilities that can be learned ”, clarifies the expert.

Although the specialists assure that this type of combinations between psychological tendencies and exercises usually work, they also clarify that

.

“There may be someone with anxiety that yoga creates much more stress than relaxation.

That's why you have to know what a person likes to do, "says the iFeel psychologist. And also the physical characteristics." You can't tell an overweight person who hasn't exercised in their life to go for a 10-kilometer run. For this person, a shorter walk could have the same beneficial effects ”, adds the expert.

And all three reiterate that these tips are valid for inclinations that appear in hard times and that happen to all of us, not for people who need treatment.

In these cases, the doctor will make the pertinent recommendations.

"Sport

, which works in many cases because hormones such as endorphins are released that favor being in a good mood", concludes Del Río.