By Dr Magdalena Mosanya
Dr Magdalena Mosanya is the Discipline Lead for Psychology and Criminology and a Student Counselor at Murdoch University Dubai.
Effect of Exercising on Empowerment & Mood Enhancement – Have you ever felt low, stressed, or unable? Get active!
The prevalence of mental health disorders is expected to become the leading cause of death and disability globally by 2030. In the UAE, mental health issues are a cause for concern, especially among college students, with nearly a quarter reporting depressive symptoms. The diverse cultural environment in the UAE presents unique challenges, particularly for the youth who are exposed to conflicting cultural influences. This may often lead to increased stress and the adoption of unhealthy habits, such as binge or restrictive eating and a sedentary lifestyle. Furthermore, the hot climate and certain cultural norms may limit physical activity, which is a key factor in maintaining good mental health. The commonality of depression among youth in the UAE is partly due to the low level of physical activity, which in turn is related to the low level of physical self-efficacy, which is understood as the scope of beliefs about one’s own capabilities in physical performance.
Exercising is recognised as a healthy way to improve mood, enhance mental abilities and benefit self-evaluations, especially body image. Physical activity is an awesome way to boost your mood, just as effective as therapy. Conversely, depression and anxiety, which are the most prevalent mood disorders, have been associated with insufficient physical exercise. Physical activity alters brain biochemistry by affecting serotonin, endorphins and dopamine levels, which activate motivation and enhance mood. However, it’s important to note that this association does not apply universally. Understanding why physical activity affects mood differently is difficult because there are many factors to consider, such as group dynamics and self-confidence. Physical activity is a natural positive emotions stimulator, but it usually happens only to those with a high physical self-efficacy level. Those who do not believe in the effectiveness of exercising may indeed not perceive any positive mood enhancement. Therefore, health promotion programs should implement interventions that stimulate physical self-efficacy.
Additionally, the effect of exercising extends to experiences of empowerment. Recent studies reveal that although individuals principally exercise for health‐related motives, the reported outcome primarily reflects empowerment experiences – increased esteem, agency and efficacy. For example, weight training has been shown to be linked with increased confidence and a greater sense of security. Further research emphasises that engagement in sports can help break down gender stereotypes, enhance self-esteem, and foster the development of leadership skills, especially for women.
At Murdoch University Dubai, we offer wellness counselling focused on building self-efficacy and adopting healthy habits. Reaching out to wellness counselling might be beneficial to mental and physical health and increase motivation for sports engagement. Additionally, our campus provides a variety of sports activities, allowing students to join sports teams and participate in their preferred disciplines. This engagement could enhance immunity, stamina, and physical health but also help foster social connections, which have been shown to improve mental and physical well-being.
So what are you waiting for? Get active!
Further readings
Mosanya, M., & Kassie, S. (2024). Psychological empowerment and exercising: The relationships between exercising, self-stereotyping, agency, autonomy and physical self-efficacy in non-Western women. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 34(3), e2791. https://doi.org/10. 1002/casp.2791
Mosanya, M., & Petkari, E. (2016). Being fit and feeling pleased: The mediational role of physical self-efficacy in UAE women residents. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology,16(4), 343-353. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197x.2016.1256340
