REPers, glad to have you back!

With it being Mental Health Awareness Month, I think it’s only right for us to highlight the importance of exercise and how good it is for the mind! This month, REPerformance will be improving the app to allow for mental health tracking to support positive behaviour change. Through push notification, students and athletes will be able to create behaviour change goals related to mental health and be able to rank their behaviour throughout the week. We look forward to getting feedback and suggestions from our community.

Studies have shown that physical activity can have a significant impact on mental health, especially in reducing anxiety and depression. When we exercise, our bodies release chemicals called endorphins, which make us feel good. These endorphins can help reduce stress and anxiety and promote a sense of well-being. 

Regular exercise has also been shown to increase the production of serotonin, which is a chemical that helps regulate mood. When serotonin levels are low, people can feel sad or depressed, but exercise can help increase these levels, making people feel happier.

In addition to releasing endorphins and increasing serotonin levels, exercise can also help reduce tension in the body. It provides an outlet for negative emotions, allowing people to release stress and frustration.

Starting a training program can be intimidating at first but it doesn’t have to be. Starting small, even short periods of activity can have a major impact on your mental health. It’s also important to choose an activity that is enjoyable and sustainable (go for a walk, do yoga, join a community sports team).