Sweating out the struggle: How exercise supports mental health
Dylan Fortney, a senior student-athlete at John Glenn High School in New Concord / Photo provided by Fortney
By Roman Gallitz
Note: This is the first story in a series by our community editor, Roman Gallitz, that focuses on the benefits of exercise on mental health. Read the other stories here: Finding strength in routine: Student-athlete shares how exercise fuels her college journey, From the gym to the classroom: How one professor models healthy habits for a better future and “Built, not born”": Coach Krupar on building strength, discipline and character
Mental health is an important yet often overlooked topic in society; it’s a more widespread issue than most think. According to the American Psychological Association, mental health problems don’t manifest quite as clearly as physical ones. You can’t always see if someone is struggling mentally. Sometimes, the individual may not even consider their issues to be a part of their mental health. Some worry avout the stigmas sometimes associated with mental health struggles. Whether it’s because of stigmas, costs or lack of awareness, many people are hesitant to act in defense of their good mental health.
One such person is Dylan Fortney, a senior student-athlete at John Glenn High School in New Concord, Ohio. He spent many years fighting battles in the trenches of his mind that only he knew about. Today, however, Fortney’s mental health and confidence are better than ever, and he credits exercise for getting him there. He picked up weightlifting after he grew tired of feeling unhappy with his physical and mental health.
“A few years back, I struggled with mental health, but since coming to the gym, it's changed the way that I've thought about myself and others,” Fortney said. “Before, I would be afraid to talk to people because of my weight or because of my mental health. But now, I feel a little more free, like I can just go up, talk to people, and feel fine with stuff like that.”
Fortney, a member of John Glenn’s football team, said that talking to someone isn’t a good form of therapy for him; he likes to deal with things on his own if he can. Fortney believes he’s found his outlet by finding the gym. “It’s just somewhere I can go, let out my anger, sadness, anything,” he said.
Soon after beginning his fitness journey, he began seeing and feeling results quickly, becoming addicted to the feeling it brought.
Fortney’s not alone in believing that exercise is therapeutic for mental health. According to therapistaid.com, “The psycological impacts of exercise can include heightened self-esteem, the interruption of negative thoughts and an increase in healthy social contact.”
Achilles Smith, a soon-to-be electrician, agrees with Fortney’s beliefs.
Achilles Smith / Photo provided by Smith
“Lifting weights and stuff is almost like therapy for me,” Smith said. “Pushing yourself past your limits is like a whole new feeling. When you're done with that, you feel like you're on top of the world.”
A native of Mississippi, Smith got his start with exercise in grade school when he began lifting weights to become a better football player. Now, six years later, Smith stays active to keep his mind and body in good health, pushing himself to new limits to see growth in his physical and mental well-being. Smith thinks that a lack of knowledge is something that tends to keep people from starting a fitness journey of their own; perhaps intimidation also plays a role in their indecision.
Knowing where to start can be difficult. Try reaching out to a family member, watching a YouTube video, or even asking the “big guy” for help at the gym. Check out these health tips from a popular neuroscientist at Stanford School of Medicine, Dr. Andrew Huberman, for a better start.
