According to a recent study by Binghamton University, State University of New York, women’s mental health was more likely to be affected by physical activity frequency than men’s during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lina Begdache, assistant professor of health and wellness studies at Binghamton University, focuses on the impact of diet and lifestyle choices on mental health. Her team recently examined the differences between men and women in the effects of exercise frequency, day of the week and different epidemic stages on mental pain.
The survey had 2,370 responses and the results were viewed. 41 questions on demographics, education, dietary habits, sleep patterns, frequency of physical activity and mental health status were included in the survey. In addition, the pandemic was broken down into three separate time periods: pre, during and late COVID-19, with “during” representing the period of lockdown and “late” representing the easing of restrictions. Researchers found that during the pandemic, a time of high stress, women needed moderate exercise to achieve mental well-being. For men, on the other hand, regular exercise proved beneficial.
Sport causes stress in the body. However, because it typically has positive connotations, Begdache claims it is viewed as eustress, or “mild or normal stress.” Overuse of the activity reduces its benefits, which is annoying. It’s well known that men and women respond differently to rigorous exercise by releasing different levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. According to Begdache’s research, women should adjust their exercise routines when they’re feeling restless to help keep their minds calm and in a good mood.
Begdache claims that women have a lower stress tolerance as they are more likely than men to report stress. As a result, regular exercise can increase stress levels and negatively impact mental health. Additionally, the researchers found that exercise frequency altered mental health based on the day of the week. Men were more likely to have mental health problems on the weekends, while women’s mental health tended to deteriorate during the workweek. This can be the result of a mother’s need to balance a mother’s commitments with her children’s work and homeschooling.
The study also shows a link between total inactivity and mental distress in both men and women. Training frequency has been increased and COVID restrictions eased. Increased training frequency helped participants feel more motivated to focus on weight management as it was difficult to avoid weight gain during lockdown and gave more structure to their lives. (ANI)
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