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MENTAL HEALTH
Some more common mental health conditions include:
l Anorexia nervosa l Bulimia nervosa l Depression
l Bi-Polar disorder
l Binge eating disorder l Dementia
l General anxiety disorder l Stress l Substance misuse disorder
l Panic attacks
l Obsessive compulsive l Personality disorders l Schizophrenia
In his report ‘At least 5 a week’ The Chief Medical Officer (2004) indicated that physical activity was effective in the treatment of a range of mental health conditions including: clinical depression, generalised anxiety disorder, phobias, panic attacks, stress disorders and schizophrenia. More recently, the evaluation of the National Exercise Referral scheme in Wales demonstrated that the mental health scores improved more than the physical ones.
Never has it been more important for the active leisure sector to take a proactive interest in mental health. In the current economic climate, this issue of mental health is likely to be compounded.
Muscle work offers a physical release for increased muscle tension caused by the stress response “fight or flight”, which may help with anger-management and may offer a physical and mental energy boost.
There are also a number of potential psycho-social benefits from exercise and physical activity. Improved self-esteem and confidence may increase an individual’s willingness to ‘face the world’, rather than withdrawing into their condition (social isolation is common in the daily life of an individual with a mental health disorder). Increased social interaction (through group exercise) enables the potential for increased social networks, which offer the opportunity for a sense of belonging and being part of something larger – a sense of community. Attending a regular session can add structure to the day – an essential ‘life skill’. Increased mental focus and concentration may also offer a distraction from other thoughts, including focusing on the negative effects of the condition or other anxieties, stresses and worries (distraction may be achieved through other enjoyed past times, it is not exclusive to exercise). Finally exercising in the outdoors offers the potential to connect with the natural environment, which can provide a sense of peace and rebalance (4).
In addition, an empathic and congruent exercise professional who is able to mirror positive regard for the person and place them at the centre of any intervention, and who also has the ability to motivate and inspire will also have an impact on the persons’ self- worth; as well as potentially impacting the benefits of physical activity perceived by the person and improving the potential for exercise adherence.
Physiological benefits
FEEL GOOD FACTOR - Increased endorphins IMPROVED MOOD - Increased monoamine chemicals - dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine THERMOGENIC
- when the body is warm, we feel more relaxed
What type of exercise? There is no one type of exercise which will suit everyone, and all mental health conditions. Exercise has to be accessible, enjoyable of an appropriate frequency, intensity and duration, and must fit with an individual’s lifestyle, needs, likes and dislikes; not least because these factors promote adherence!
Different people like different types of exercise and activity, some prefer outdoors, others indoor activities; some may prefer exercising alone, whilst others prefer group exercise. In addition, some people will have co-morbidities that may exclude them from specific types of exercise. It is therefore essential for an exercise professional working with this population to be skilled in a variety of fitness disciplines (level 2 and 3 qualifications) and appreciate the needs of a range of other medical conditions (level 3 exercise referral qualification and level 4 specialisms).
“Never has it been more important for the active leisure sector to take a proactive interest in mental health. In the current economic climate, this issue of mental health is likely to be compounded”
Psychological benefits
DISTRACTION - time away from daily stresses and problems and time for self FEEL CALMER AND HAPPIER - Increased parasympathetic nervous system activity creates a tranquilising affect IMPROVED SELF ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE - a sense of achievement and purpose to daily routine
Social benefits
SOCIALISATION - meeting others and sharing experiences enables integration, inclusion and belonging (rather than exclusion and alienation) FUN/ENJOYMENT - physical activity and exercise can provide a sense of pleasure QUALITY OF LIFE - the physical benefits of being active enable greater independence ability to move and be part of life (inclusion, rather than exclusion)