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Academics and Health Care Professionals often forget to talk about the psychological benefits associated with regular exercise. Our responsibility as clinicians is to work with our clients to ensure that they are informed of activities that will help keep them healthy, both physically and mentally.  Research suggests that regular physical activity (40-60 minutes per day) can help with anxiety, stress, depression, mood, and cognitive functioning. As a psychologist, I often push my clients to consider exercise as a self-care activity. You may not feel like exercising at times, especially if you are experiencing difficulties with anxiety and depression. However, small changes in your exercise regimen can help you manage your symptoms better, provide motivation, and improve self-esteem.

There is also a growing body of research supporting physical activity and improved self-perception and self-esteem.

According to Faulkner and Taylor’s text, Exercise, Health, and Mental Health,  we know the following about the mental health benefits of exercise (Faulkner & Taylor 2005):

Anxiety

• Exercise has a low-to-moderate anxiety reducing effect. 
• Single sessions of moderate exercise can reduce short-term physical reactivity and enhance recovery from brief stressors. 

Depression

• A number of studies support the link between exercise and decreased depression
• Experimental studies suggest that both aerobic and resistance training may be used to treat moderate-to-severe depression. 

Emotion

• Physical activity has been commonly associated with positive mood and affect. 
• Empirical studies suggest that aerobic exercise has a small-to-moderate effect in vigor, tension, depression, fatigue, confusion, and anger. 

Exercise Suggestions:

• Find a team sport and make an effort to build new relationships (try meetup.com).
• Workout with a partner. 
• Find a team or one-on-one sports activity that you and your partner can enjoy together. 

I have worked with many individuals in my practice who have experienced difficulties with sudden trauma. Exercise gives them relief but also helps them feel in control when they are suddenly feeling a loss of control. Professionally (as a psychologist), the prognostic outlook is always better when individuals engage in regular exercise and practice self-care.



References:
Faulkner, Guy., Taylor, Adrian.  (2008). Exercise, health, and mental health. Routledge, New York: NY:2

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