Does lifting weights help your mental health?

Nikkiey points out that anxiety isn't only in your head. It shows up as a racing heart, shallow breathing and muscle tension. On Ep. 345 she explains that training gives your body an outlet for that stress response. You burn off adrenaline and complete the stress cycle, which is why a hard session can feel like a full emotional exhale. She mentions hearing from women who say consistent training changed their anxiety. If you take medication for anxiety or depression, talk with your doctor before changing anything.

On Ep. 98 she connects this to menopause. Resistance training releases endorphins, which she calls the brain's natural antidepressants and painkillers, and they can help buffer the mood swings and low moods that hormonal shifts can bring. On Ep. 182 she adds that strength training can help lower cortisol and has been shown to improve neuroplasticity, your brain's ability to adapt and change. Her take is that this helps your brain handle stress and challenges better. She also says that each time you lift heavier or finish a tough workout, you prove you're capable of more than you thought, and that confidence carries into work and family. On Ep. 132, guest Karena Dawn credits the happy hormones from working out and the reduced stress of taking care of your body. Both she and Nikkiey notice their mood dips after a few days without moving.

The nuance from Ep. 345: exercise being good for mental health doesn't mean every form of it is healthy for you at all times. If missing one workout leaves you feeling guilty or worthless, Nikkiey says that isn't discipline. It's a sign your mental health is tied to the behavior in a way that isn't serving you. The aim is training that steadies you, not training you're punishing yourself with.