Exercise and Mental Health

Summary Exercise and Mental Health Focus on depression Local Resources Motivation Conclusion

Premise As warriors we exercise in order to prepare for “The Fight.” We rarely know when it will come or in what form.

Exercise and Mental Health Self-Esteem Exercise can lead to a person having a better body image. When a person feels good about the way they look, they often feel better about themselves as a person. A lack of self-esteem can cause depression. High self- esteem can lead to healthy and positive thinking. Physical Health Regular exercise causes an increase in stamina and leads to a healthier body. When your body feels good, you feel good. Distraction Like many activities, exercise provides a temporary distraction from life's problems. Sometimes a healthy distraction is good medicine for what ails the mind. Social Interaction Exercise that takes the form of group activities or social settings can benefit a person's mood. Getting out of the house and interacting with others can combat the feelings of loneliness and isolation. Serotonin/Endorphin Levels Exercise increases serotonin levels in the brain. The body releases the chemicals after sustained physical activity. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter that helps the brain to function.

Focus on Depression Running is advocated as a more effective antidote to depression than psychoanalysis (Greist et al. 1979). The effect of acute exercise (single exercise session) was different than for an exercise program, but both were effective antidepressants (Callaghan 2004).

Focus on Depression Scientific studies have shown that exercise benefits mental health. Exercise produces antidepressant effects on the human brain that last after exercise. Regular exercise over a period of several weeks increases the antidepressant effects. Every age group and both genders benefit mentally from exercise. (Craft, 1997; Calfas & Taylor, 1994; Kugler et al., 1994; McDonald & Hodgdon, 1991; North, McCullagh, & Tran, 1990)

Focus on Depression Researchers at Duke University studied people suffering from depression for 4 months and found that 60% of the participants who exercised for 30 minutes three times a week overcame their depression without using antidepressant medication. This is the SAME percentage rate as for those who only used medication in their treatment for depression “Mental Health Benefits of Exercise" was written by Jennifer C. Panning,Find Counseling.com Mental Health Journal, November, 2000.

Local Resources

HAWC Resources Fitness -Exercise Prescriptions -Healthy Living Program -Spinning Classes -Parent Child Room -Omnitron Body Fat Analyzer -Running Clinics Nutrition -Body Composition Improvement Program -"Healthy Heart" Classes -Blood Pressure Screenings Tobacco -Tobacco Cessation Workshops -Tobacco Cessation Medications -Relapse Prevention Planning -Carbon Monoxide (CO) Assessment -Individual Counseling Available Stress Management -Stress Management Room -Stress Reduction Workshops - Relaxation Chair and Audiovisual Aids

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