It's been said that as little as 10 minutes of regular exercise can help alleviate depression. But even professionals don’t always make the link between mental and physical health. There are many reasons that physical activity is said to help mental health. It boosts mood, relieves stress and improves sleep.
The Role of Exercise in Mental Health
In recent years, the stigma surrounding mental illness has begun to fade, yet the services designed to support those in need, remain stretched and underfunded. It's a frustrating reality, especially when we consider the importance of accessible care. While I understand that exercise alone can’t cure mental health issues, I’ve seen how it can serve as a valuable tool in my own journey.
A study published in the JAMA Psychiatry journal back in January 2019 confirms that physical activity could be an effective strategy in preventing depression. This resonated with me as I’ve often found comfort in movement, even when anxiety feels overwhelming.
Dr Brendon Stubbs
Dr. Brendon Stubbs, a key figure in physiotherapy at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, shared an intriguing perspective. He explained that exercise positively impacts the hippocampus, a crucial part of the brain associated with many mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
Exercise Research
Even 10 minutes of light exercise can create ripples of change. Research suggests that such short bursts of activity can have both immediate benefits and contribute to long-term improvements, after about 12 weeks. Moreover, people facing certain mental health struggles, like depression, often contend with elevated levels of inflammatory markers. It appears that exercise may help combat this by reducing inflammation, offering another layer of support for mental well-being.
Conclusion
Incorporating regular movement into my routine feels like a small, manageable step towards healing. It is important to encompass mental health and exercise – to hold onto the belief that these moments of activity can contribute to a greater sense of peace and resilience. Making time to look after our health is important – as these studies show there is no health without mental health (Source:theguardian.com)
My doctor has been suggesting this for a long time, but for me it isn't always as easy as just walking out the door.
I deal with agoraphobia, which means I have a hard time going out of the house by myself sometimes. It just means that I need to make new friends who want to do those things with me, like going out walking or riding bicycles.
I'm sure exercise would help to improve my general mood and health, seeing as I need to pay more attention to it. Maine is such a beautiful state, with so much to see and do, which other people pay fortunes to see so I should try to enjoy it more.
Thanks Randy. Yes, Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder. I hope you're able to get help with that, so you can get out a little more, even if it is for a finite time. It's all about small steps.
Before mental health became a thing, exercise has long been known to help our mood, by exercise producing endorphins in the body that makes us feel good. That in itself is a good enough reason to exercise.
That said Randy, you live in a beautiful state that is the reason why many people choose to holiday there, with so much to see and do. It would be a shame not to get out to go for walks, because you deal with agoraphobia.
As you say, it would be a shame not to pay attention to something you know needs your attention. Has your doctor suggested ways of helping you?
In my younger years I used to swim to reduce stress and anxiety. It was the seamless flow of strokes and breathing that seemed to put everything outside the swimming pool into perspective. I also enjoyed good health exercising in that way.
So there it is, another blog that shows your genius for motivating your readers to improve their mental and physical health; I'm inspired by this.
I am inspired by what you've written in your response Tim. I also believe swimming is a perfect way to let go of stress and anxiety.
I know time moves on, life changes, and we move on to different things, but no matter our age we can still get some of that back, perhaps not physically in the way we were, because we are ageing, but exercise will always play its part in making us stronger mentally.
That way we're more likely to cope with stress better and staying mentally strong will help us continue to stay mentally healthy; and as long as we keep exercising we will also stay physically fit, no matter what age we are.