The Most Underused Medication for Mental Health | The effects of exercise on mental illness
Today I want to talk about the most underused medication for mental health struggles: Exercise.
Now, please listen clearly I am not saying to stop seeing your doctors, psychologists psychiatrists, and other specialists who are helping you on this journey. In the blog Everyday Health they say:
“Exercise won’t cure anxiety or depression, but the physical and psychological benefits can improve the symptoms,” explains Sally R. Connolly, LCSW, a therapist at the Couples Clinic of Louisville in Kentucky. “Research shows that at least 30 minutes of exercise three to five days a week can significantly make a difference.” Some studies have suggested that regular exercise can help alleviate anxiety as much as anxiety medications, and the anxiety-relieving effects of exercise may last longer than those of drugs.”
Love to hear your thoughts on the most underused medication for mental health being exercise.
Added Aug 23, 2021
The largest chapter in my book Parenting: Navigating Everything is on this topic of mental health. Check it out!
Click here for a link to a LIVE presentation I did called Hope for the Walking Wounded. It is my talk on mental health.
Check out this video as well.
Hi Brett, thanks for the great post. I totally agree that exercise is one of the best ways to help alleviate the effects of mental health struggles. In my case I have found that swimming 3-5 times a week, biking to work and playing soccer with the teams I coach have been great in helping me handle the ups and downs of depression and mood swings. While I also manage these through medication, I find that when I exercise I usually can think more clearly and feel great (through the release of endorphins I suppose). You hit the nail on the head in that it doesn’t have to be complicated, I think the key is to find something that you can build into your daily routine if possible (biking is that thing for me). Start small and see where it goes (like the 1 month challenge!).
You mention walking has been shown to regulate hormones. Does just walking do this, or any form of regular exercise? And do you know if there needs to be a set amount of time/distance put into walking (i.e. hormones will be helped after 20 min, 40 min, some number of minutes or distance)?
from what I read walking puts less stress on your system which helps in balancing hormones. In the stuff I was reading it says walking is better than other exercises. As for time, each article was different. I try and walk 1 hour a day.