People illustrations by Storyset

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has gained a lot of popularity among fitness-savvy people and newbies alike in recent years because of its effectiveness in fat burning and the overall feeling associated with the training process. HIIT involves short bursts of intense, high-energy activity with periods of rest or low-intensity exercise.

HIIT improves stamina, makes you stronger, increases fat loss during and after the workout, keeps your heart healthy, keeps you younger, relieves stress, builds bone mass, helps with glucose balance, and frees up the muscles.

All the cardiovascular benefits of HIIT are well-researched and documented, as are the benefits to the endocrine system (insulin and growth hormone secretion).

In this post, I want to go into the mental health benefits of HIIT and why I think it is very helpful for the treatment and prevention of depression and anxiety and its mental health benefits.

---

Hard Facts

---

People illustrations by Storyset

Those who are severely depressed or suffer from bipolar disorder do not live as long as those who do not have any mental health condition. This reduction is by 15 to 20 years in many instances. It has been researched that part of the reason those who have these conditions do not tend to live as long is that they do not get enough exercise.

Exercise can help improve the mental and physical health of people in general, but for a long time, no one was sure what type of exercise would be best for those with severe mental illnesses. Recently, however, there is enough proof to show that those who perform HIIT receive more benefits to their mental health than those who do traditional moderate-intensity exercise.

It has also been found to be safe in this group despite some pushback and concerns about its safety.

All this is to say that not only is HIIT clearly good for your physical health, but there are clear benefits to your mental health.

Reduced Stress

People illustrations by Storyset

HIIT has been shown to reduce the levels of cortisol production. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone, and in times of anxiety and depression, there are increased levels of this hormone. By engaging in HIIT, you can increase the body's threshold to this hormone's secretion and also use up some of the pent-up cortisol during the workout.

Improved Mood

People illustrations by Storyset

Exercise, in general, increases the amount of endorphins that are secreted by the body. Endorphins function just like opiates and can help deal with pain. It is because of endorphins that MMA fighters don’t realize how much pain they are in while they are fighting until after the fight when the levels are lower.

During HIIT, the levels of endorphins are higher, which would lead to a state of euphoria and happiness.

Better Cognition

People illustrations by Storyset

Exercise, in general, has been shown to decrease cognitive decline as aging takes place.

Exercise, including HIIT, increases blood flow to the brain, leading to better focus, memory, and attention.

HIIT itself has been shown to increase executive function, which involves skills such as planning, decision-making, and problem-solving.

Better Sleep

People illustrations by Storyset

Getting enough sleep is a regular problem people in the hospital complain about. I try to tell some of my patients that they should increase the amount of time they spend exercising, not just HIIT, but exercise in general.

When you exercise more, it helps regulate the cortisol levels that usually interfere with sleep. If cortisol is reduced, it can reduce stress and promote better relaxation and sleep.

Getting 6 to 8 hours of sleep leads to better mental and physical health. For anxiety especially, having little sleep is associated with more negative emotions during the day, which can express itself as anxiety.

---

You can send me a message on WhatsApp at +2348134530293, and we can have a conversation, or you can speak with a licensed therapist.

---

Conclusion

---

Inkscape.org

Certainly, I'd be happy to expand on the post written in conclusion.

In conclusion, mental health benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), an exercise routine that involves short bursts of intense, high-energy activity with periods of rest or low-intensity exercise. While HIIT has been popular for its effectiveness in fat burning and physical fitness, it has also been found to be highly beneficial for mental health.

One of the key mental health benefits of HIIT is its ability to reduce stress levels. HIIT has been shown to decrease cortisol production, which is known as the "stress hormone". By engaging in HIIT, individuals can increase their body's threshold to cortisol secretion and use up some of the pent-up cortisol during the workout.

Another mental health benefit of HIIT is its ability to improve mood. Exercise, in general, increases the amount of endorphins secreted by the body, which function just like opiates and can help deal with pain. During HIIT, the levels of endorphins are higher, leading to a state of euphoria and happiness.

In addition to reducing stress and improving mood, HIIT has been shown to have a positive impact on cognition. Exercise, including HIIT, increases blood flow to the brain, leading to better focus, memory, and attention. HIIT itself has been shown to increase executive function, which involves skills such as planning, decision-making, and problem-solving.

Finally, HIIT has been found to improve sleep quality. Getting enough sleep is essential for both mental and physical health. Exercise, including HIIT, helps regulate cortisol levels, which can interfere with sleep. By reducing cortisol levels, exercise can promote better relaxation and sleep.

Overall, HIIT offers numerous benefits to both physical and mental health. Whether you are looking to reduce stress, improve your mood, enhance your cognition, or get better sleep, HIIT is a great option to consider. So, why not give it a try and experience the benefits for yourself?

Inkscape.org

---

References

---

• How high-intensity intervals impact cardiovascular health

• High Intensity Interval training (HIIT) for people with severe mental illness: A systematic review & meta-analysis of intervention studies– considering diverse approaches for mental and physical recovery

• 10 benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT)

• High-intensity exercise and your heart