Exercise and talk for mental health

The corona pandemic has pushed the world as we know it to its limit. On a large scale: where states, communities, large companies had to find new ways of solving problems. But especially on a small scale: for every person who was no longer allowed to meet family members and who felt like a hermit in the home office.

Over the past few months, Groupe Mutuel has surveyed over 1200 Swiss people about their sports behavior and health during the pandemic. One main finding: many moved less than usual.

An important aspect of health, however, is also the mental, which shows that a large part of the population was also mentally worse off than usual during the pandemic. Relatively badly affected: the boys (40 percent in the age group 18–29) and women (38 percent of those surveyed).

For the Zurich psychologist Daniel Sigrist, the numbers match his day-to-day work: “We have seen a significant increase in inquiries.” This would also be confirmed by professional colleagues. When it comes to the – from his perspective – important reason for the increase, the expert often uses the word “resources”.

“With the loss of many resources and significantly more time for self-reflection, more and more problems have come to the surface, which may even have been subconsciously ‘simmering’ for a long time.” There are also cases that are confronted with a sudden and very real fear of the future: job loss or financial insecurity.

In psychology, “resources” is understood to mean all points that support us in overcoming challenges: family, friends, the distraction through sports or going to concerts, holidays without major planning worries. All areas that were affected by the corona restrictions.

For us humans, for example, social relationships are more or less the “safety net” when things are otherwise not going smoothly. Daniel Sigrist combines the finding with an appeal to everyone: “Therefore, please always think of your friends and acquaintances who are currently not in a relationship and who live alone in an apartment. Call them often, arrange to meet them for a walk, take care of each other. “

The Groupe Mutuel study shows that physical and mental health became problem areas in the Corona district at the same time. The expert explains it this way: “The effects of physical activity on the mind can also be explained biologically.”

During exercise, happiness hormones such as dopamine, serotonin and endorphins are released in our brain. “These hormones make us feel happy.” Who doesn’t know the feeling of happiness after a jogging round, for which you had to overcome your own weaker self? The hormones are what cause this feeling.

After all: “The exchange about mental health has become more socially acceptable, if you can put it that way,” observes Sigrist. Numerous companies have started “Mental Health” programs in order to be able to support their employees in the home office.

The psychological stresses would not simply go away with the easing of the last few weeks. Sure, the summer and the regained freedoms are important points, but “some of the problems that occurred last year remain.” That means further commitment and talking to professionals or friends about processing and recovery.