Mental health and physical health are fundamentally related to each other. Mental health significantly impacts people’s quality of life, overall health and well-being. Understanding the links between mind and body is the first step in developing strategies for the well-being of an individual.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Physical fitness can be achieved through physical activity and access to nutritious foods. Mental health is gained through a physically active lifestyle.
The American Psychological Association (APA) reported that the benefits of exercise include:
- Lessening anxiety
- Improving mood
- Enhancing mental health
A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, as well as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other chronic health problems.
You don’t have to have gym equipment to make exercise a part of your life. Picking physical activities or outdoor games that you enjoy and are easy to incorporate into your routine is important. The Royal College of Psychiatrists recognize exercise prescription as a treatment modality for a wide range of mental health conditions
Physical activity can reduce depression and anxiety in children also. According to a Canadian study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, students who play sports such as basketball, soccer, track and field, wrestling, and gymnastics in grades 8 through 12 have less stress and better mental health as young adults.
Here are some of the reasons why exercise is helpful in boosting teen mental health.
- Exercise positively impacts levels of serotonin, a chemical that helps regulate mental health.
- Furthermore, exercise releases endorphins, the body’s natural “happy chemicals.”
- Levels of the stress hormone cortisol go down when we exercise.
- Additionally, physical activity also stimulates the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which improves mood.
- Sports, as well as other outdoor activities, give a chance to experience the benefits of time in nature.
- Young people who develop athletic skills feel more positive about their bodies and their physical abilities. Therefore, their self-esteem improves.
- When we are doing something that absorbs all our attention, such as sports or another physical activity, we are distracted from stressful and negative thoughts.
Thus physical health is directly related to mental health. It’s important to pay attention to both your physical health and your mental health.
