There are many struggles that veterans face after serving in the military. One big one is mental health. Whether it is depression, anxiety or PTSD, veterans deal with their fair share of mental health issues. While there are several medications that can help combat this, there is also a tool that is far safer and more natural, exercise. Foxhole Veterans Charity Foundation is here to talk about the many ways that exercise could be the answer to common mental health struggles for veterans.
Many Mental Health Struggles are Improved with Exercise
There are varying degrees of mental health that can be improved by regular exercise. Here are some of the mental health challenges that see a drastic improvement.
– Depression: If you are looking for a way to combat depression without the side effects of medication, one thing you can try is regular and consistent exercise. It has to be something that you commit to and do on a daily basis to see the benefits. Exercise promotes changes in the brain including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns. All of which can help improve your feelings of depression.
– Anxiety: Another big hurdle for many veterans is anxiety. That feeling of anxiousness in your chest that can sometimes take over can be squashed by regular exercise. When you are focused on exercise training, you aren’t thinking about the things that give you those feelings of anxiety. It takes your focus off of that as endorphins are released in your body.
– PTSD & Trauma: Sometimes, the nervous system is hijacked by the trauma that veterans have experienced in combat or other parts of service in the military. Regular training in martial arts and other forms of exercise can help get your nervous system out of that stuck state. Martial arts is hugely beneficial because of the level of focus that is required to train in martial arts. It can help improve the feelings and struggles with PTSD and trauma that you have experienced.
– Stress: It can be stressful trying to assimilate back into life as a civilian after years of military service. When your body is under this kind of stress, it can cause all the muscles in your body to tense up. When you exercise, it can help to loosen those muscles and help relieve the stress that you’re feeling throughout your body. This can help you combat aches and pains in your neck, shoulders, back and other areas of your body.
Training Veterans Out of Victorious Gym in Milford, The Crown MMA Gym in Troy & Champion Jiu Jitsu & MMA in Chesterfield, Michigan
If you are a veteran that is struggling with some of the mental health struggles listed above, you can turn to Foxhole Veterans Charity Foundation to help you combat it with training in martial arts. We can help you shift your focus and feel better than ever when you train with us in this unique setting. There is a strong sense of community here to support you. Call us today!
