Mental illness can affect a person’s life in many different ways, impacting their behaviours, social functioning and their cognitive abilities. Patients with mental illnesses commonly struggle with regular work, social situations and physical activities, which in turn, can lead to a decline in physical health. Common types of mental illness that are treated by exercise physiologists include anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder.
How Can Exercise Improve Mental Health?
It is well established that exercise is an extremely effective treatment method for patients suffering from mental illness. In some studies, exercise has been shown to be as effective as pharmacotherapy interventions in the reduction of depressive symptoms1.
Exercise can be hugely beneficial in improving a patient’s mood2 with some studies suggesting that even a single bout of exercise per week can have positive impacts upon individual mood and mindset3.
Exercise is also extremely effective at counteracting the side effects of many prescribed medications for mental illness, including helping control associated weight gain and blood pressure, improving sleep patterns and reducing fatigue levels
What Types Of Exercise Are Most Beneficial For Depression, Anxiety & Other Metal Health Issues?
Regardless of exercise type, all mental health patients need to be gradually introduced to exercise, as they are generally less inclined to adhere to consistent exercise programs as individuals without mental health concerns. It is therefore important to encourage positive exercise behaviours early on in treatment. Setting short- term, realistic goals for each week and attempting to build a routine around exercise are extremely important.
The most beneficial type of exercise for patients with mental health issues will always be whichever activity the patient enjoys doing. Exercise adherence will always be better when enjoyment levels are at their highest.
Patients with mental health concerns should aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity each day. This can be as little as three 10-minute walks throughout the day to begin with and then progress in duration.
A combination of aerobic exercise and resistance training have been found to be effective in treating many major mental health conditions, such as major depressive disorder4. Supervised exercise is always recommended; however, exercise does not need to be completed in a gym environment. Any area where patients are comfortable and are able to exercise safely is perfect.
Working with an exercise physiologist is very beneficial when using exercise to manage a wide range of mental illness, especially if you do not have a history of exercising regularly, are unsure about how to get started or what level to work at, or you don’t feel comfortable joining a gym and working independently. Your exercise physiologist can support you with high levels of reassurance and encouragement, as well as ensuring that you are doing the right exercises with correct technique.
Exercise Physiologists In Sydney, Surry Hills
Chris McCarthy – Head Of Exercise Physiology
As an Exercise Physiologist, I get great joy from watching my clients achieve their goals through exercise whilst building lasting relationships with them, and enjoy the challenge of providing stimulating yet effective treatment in order to do this. I love working with clients in order to get them back on track to exercising post injury, and have experience in doing this with clients from a Cardiorespiratory and Musculoskeletal background.
Outside of the clinic I’m a keen cricketer and rugby fan, and have recently taken up boxing for fitness. You’ll find me on the pitch, in the ring or on my off days at the beach mucking round in the surf. I’m looking forward to helping people achieve their goals and get strong!
References
- Blumenthal, J.A., Babyak, M.A., Doraiswamy, P.M., Watkins, L., Hoffman, B.M., Barbour, K.A., Herman, S., Craighead, W.E., Brosse, A.L., Waugh, R. and Hinderliter, A., 2007. Exercise and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of major depressive disorder. Psychosomatic medicine, 69(7), p.587.
- Berger, B.G. and Motl, R.W., 2000. Exercise and mood: A selective review and synthesis of research employing the profile of mood states. Journal of applied sport psychology, 12(1), pp.69-92.
- Yeung, R.R., 1996. The acute effects of exercise on mood state. Journal of psychosomatic research, 40(2), pp.123-141.
- Westcott, W.L., 2012. Resistance training is medicine: effects of strength training on health. Current sports medicine reports, 11(4), pp.209-216.
