The effects of exercise on mental conditions. Particularly endorphins dopamine and serotonin. The science behind exercise and mental health is complex and the reasons can be multifactorial but in short it is believed that physical activity causes the brain to release hormones.
You may have heard that exercise can help reduce stress. Mental health exercise therapy. The evidence supporting a positive relationship between exercise and mental illnesses is summarised and a rationale for the usefulness of exercise therapy along with more conventional treatments.
This paper explores the potential value of exercise therapy as an adjunctive treatment in alleviating mental health disorders in clinical populations. The state of your mental health determines how you handle stress how you relate to others and how you make choices in life. Mental health includes your emotional health your psychological health and your social well being.
However many people find it uncomfortable to talk about it. Mental health is undoubtedly an important topic. This means that motivating your patients to engage in exercise is a valuable therapeutic skill.
Unfortunately many people fail to meet the recommended target of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week 1 and rates of exercise in people suffering from mental health problems are even lower than average 2. Exercise therapy is the concept that physical movement and the use of muscles throughout the body can be a beneficial option in treating various mental health disorders and it s gaining traction with mental health professionals. Exercise on prescription if you have not exercised for a long time or are concerned about the effects of exercise on your body or health ask a gp about exercise on prescription.
Walking for health groups can support people who have health problems including mental health conditions.
