Category: Free Inquiry

Workout Log

Sept. 20 Gym back + chest & Yoga

Sept. 21 Gym arms + shoulders & Yoga

Sept. 22 Gym legs + glutes & Yoga

Sept. 25 Gym cardio & Yoga

Sept. 26 Run around lake & Yoga

Sept. 28 Gym arms + shoulders & Yoga

Sept. 29 Gym legs + glutes & Yoga

Sept. 30 Gym back + chest & Yoga

Oct. 2 Gym cardio & Yoga

For the past two weeks I’ve been working out consistently around 3-5 workouts per week and within those two weeks I have split each day up into different workouts to target different body parts. Below I have logged my workout split and the exercises within each day. So far, I really enjoy running around the lake near my house which is around 5 kilometres. I also enjoy doing daily yoga through YouTube which I linked below. I have been incorporating this into my routine in the evening so I can use it as a mechanism to relax my body for bedtime. My least favourite workout day is legs as it’s definitely the hardest of the splits and I find I get the most sore from it the following day.

After staying consistent with this routine for the past two weeks I’ve noticed almost immediately after the workout that I am in a better mood, more positive, and more confident with myself. In the long run, after doing it for two weeks I’ve noticed a slight change in my body which has helped my confidence a lot and made me feel more motivated to continue with this. So far my anxiety still persists and although I don’t expect this to get rid of it, I expect it to help me cope with it. I’ve noticed my anxiety has reduced a little bit and I think it’s because these workouts uplift my mood for a bit which tricks my brain into not needing to feel anxious.

I wonder within the next few weeks if I will notice any more changes in my body and mind and I’m excited to see where this will take me. Next week, I will begin to look at different technology strategies to incorporate into my routine, such as wellness apps and videos. I can try these different strategies for myself and reflect on how they can help me feel more motivated, guide my practice, or force me to take accountability in my workouts.

After researching scholarly articles through the UVIC library, I found some interesting points on the link between exercise and mental health, its benefits, and its psychological effects. 

The first peer-reviewed source I examined was an article titled Physical Activity as a Protective Factor Against Depression Incidence and as a Treatment for Depression . This article looks at the role of depression in one’s life by presenting statistics on depression, diagnoses, and symptoms, as well as studies on the role of physical activity for those living with depression. Throughout the article, the authors discuss studies conducted across many countries. Each of these studies all had the same underlying factor: low levels of physical activity were associated with increased rates of depression. 

The second peer-reviewed source I examined was an article titled Psychological Benefits Of Excercise And Physical Activity This article examines the psychological benefits of consistent exercise in day-to-day life. The author discusses depression and anxiety and the effects of exercise on these conditions. He also notes that consistent exercise can help boost low self-esteem issues in children. Finally, he suggests that although studies have shown exercise can reduce mental health issues, there are still two areas for intervention: further research on the link between the two and public health planning to sustain physical activity. 

After reading these two articles, it helped me understand more on the topic and the psychological effects and chemicals the brain releases during exercise. Over the past week of maintaining a consistent exercise routine, I’ve noticed myself feeling more motivated after my workouts, which has in turn increased my motivation to complete school work, spend time with friends, and feel more confident about my body.

This week’s post helped me understand the scientific benefits of exercise and mental health by engaging with research on studies and biochemical effects on the human brain. Next week, I will log all of my workouts and provide detailed information of what I did each day, then reflect on my first couple weeks of having a consistent workout routine.

My free inquiry topic question is: How can balancing physical health practices improve mental health? I chose this topic as my free inquiry because I want to see for myself how physical activity, such as going on walks, working out at the gym, and doing yoga can improve my mind, body, and spirit.

I have struggled with anxiety my whole life, and at one point I was experiencing panic attacks almost weekly. These panic attacks were scary and often happened without warning. My body would shake, my heart would race, my hearing would start ringing, and eventually I would begin to black out if I couldn’t calm myself down. I have taken medications to manage this, but now that school has started back up, I’ve noticed my anxiety has started to come back. 

I want to be able to seek other ways to improve my mental health through physical activity to see if it can help me. Looking ahead, I also hope to bring what I learn into my future classroom. If I can enforce, teach, and use these techniques with my future students, I might be able to support them as they deal with stress and anxiety. 

Right now, I only know a little bit about the link between exercise and mental health. For example, how being active releases endorphins that can boost your mood. I’ve experienced this feeling a bit myself, but I don’t fully understand the science behind it or the long-term impact of building a healthy and consistent routine. I also know a few people who use technology to support their wellness, but I haven’t gone much further than occasionally trying meditation videos. I’m curious to see if fitness and wellness apps can help with motivation as well. 

Through this free inquiry project, I hope to learn not only why physical activity helps mental health, but also how technology can make these practices more accessible. On a personal level, I want to see if being more intentional about physical activity throughout this project has an effect on my mood, focus, and anxiety.  

This week’s first post sets the stage for my free inquiry topic, and within the next couple weeks I’ll begin the research on how movement and wellness are connected, the benefits of it, and the physiological/psychological effects of things. I will also start to do exercises daily for the duration of the project and reflect on my results in the coming weeks.