Exercise. It’s not just physically rewarding.
Let us come to terms with the truth that exercise is used mainly to alter our physical appearance. The term exercise has developed many different meanings and uses. Some use it to reach physical goals, some exercise to just become healthy, and some even use exercise as medication for whatever health reasons be it physical or psychological. For example, exercise has been suggested as an effective adjunctive treatment for a range of mental health conditions (Faulkner, G., & Biddle, S., 2001). It’s clear that exercise, with dedication and consistency can bring about physical change—but is that all it offers? So the question stands, does exercise not only improve physical health, but overall mental health as well?
Mental illness is a long standing health concern in which health agencies, corporations and even the public in general are trying to overcome. Mental illnesses come in
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Some say simply walking is fine while others say otherwise. In Brown, B. M., Peiffer, J. J., & Martins, R. N. (2013) article “Multiple effects of physical activity on molecular and cognitive signs of brain aging: can exercise slow neurodegeneration and delay Alzheimer’s disease?” a compiled list of conducted research was presented. In (see table 1.), it shows that the largest intervention study up to its date was conducted by, Lautenschlager et al. His study showed an increase of 1.3 points on the on the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale performed by the exercise intervention group. In the same table, it also shows another study group that underwent aerobic exercises and seeing improved performance on executive functions Baker et al. Supporting evidence from (see figure 1.) is shown from researchers Matta, M. P., Cevada, T., Sobral Monteiro-junior, R., Teixeira Guimarães, T., Da, C. R., Lattari, E., . . Camaz Deslandes, A.
In the book, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and The Brain by Dr. John J. Ratey, MD (2008), Ratey discuses how exercise can help treat many mood disorders and how it can help strengthen our brains. This book is divided into ten chapters all with five to ten subsections in them. The chapters include: Welcome to the revolution: A Case Study on Exercise and the brain, Learning, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Attention Deficit, Addiction, Hormonal Changers, Aging, and the Regimen.
... can and should be addressed by educating the public to the importance of proper mental health treatment and appreciating that mental illness is just as real as a physical illness.
Mental illness is an increasing problem in America. Currently about 26.2% of Americans suffer from a mental disorder. A mental illness/disorder is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, and ability to relate to others and daily functions. Mental illness can affect humans of any age, race, gender and socioeconomic status. However the care that is needed to effectively cure and help the people affected by the illness is not equal for everyone here in American, especially for African Americans.
Mental illness is more common than one would like to believe. In reality, one in five Americans will suffer from a mental disorder in any given year. Though that ratio is about equivalent to more than fifty-four million people, mental illness still remains a shameful and stigmatized topic (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). The taboo of mental illness has an extensive and exhausting history, dating back to the beginning of American colonization. It has not been an easy road, to say the least.
In the United States alone, 57.7 million individuals suffer from mental illness. These illnesses range anywhere from mood disorders to anxiety disorders or to personality disorders and so on (The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America). 18 to 25 year olds make up about 30% of these individuals alone (Survey Finds Many Living with Mental Illness Go Without Treatment). These individuals require care from medication to psychiatry or even to confinement. However, of these 57.7 million individuals with mental illness, studies have found that less than one in three of these individuals receive proper treatment (Studies Say Mental Illness Too Often Goes Untreated).
A mental disorder, or illness, is defined as “a mental… condition marked primarily by sufficient disorganization of personality, mind, and emotions to seriously impair the normal psychological functioning of the individual” (Merriam & Webster, 2014). Mental illness affects approximately 1 of 4 people in the United States over the age of 18, or 26.2%. Of that 26.2%, six percent of them suffer from a mental disorder that is considered serious and 45% of them have characteristics that meet the criteria for more than one mental disorder. On any given day, 6.7% of United States citizens are suffering from depression, 1.5% are suffering from dysthymic disorder, 2.6% are exhibiting signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder, 1.1% are diagnosed with schizophrenia, 18.1% are suffering from anxiety, and 13.8% of the population are battling conditions such as eating disorders, attention deficient hyperactivity disorder, or a personality disorder (National Institute of Mental Health, 2014).
There are so many types of mental illnesses that affect people every day. When some people think of mental illnesses they think of the ones that would cause people to have physical symptoms as well, but that’s untrue, there are many more that you would never know anyone has if you were to see them on the street. As defined by the 2008 encyclopedia “a mental illness is any disease of the mind or brain that seriously affects a person’s ability or behavior. Symptoms of a mental illness may include extreme moods, such as excessive sadness or anxiety, or a decreased ability to think clearly or remember well.” A mentally ill person has severe symptoms that damage the person’s ability to function in everyday activities and situations. Every nation and every economic level can be affected by a mental illness. In the United States alone about 3% of the population has severe mental illness and to add to that number about 40% of people will experience a type of mental illness at least once in their lives. Some cases of mental illnesses can go away on their own, but some cases are so severe that they require professional treatment. There is so much more available to help people recover from their symptoms than in the past.
Keteyian, Dr. Steven(2000, October 10). Exercise Boosts Mental, Physical Health. Retrieved April 12, 2005, from http://psycport.com/news/2000/10/10/DTNS/000-0286-Keyword.Missing.html
Some hypothesize that moderate levels of exercise will decrease the symptoms of mental health conditions (Blumenthal et al., 2007; Diaz & Motta, 2008; Motta, Kuligowski, & Marino, 2010; Rosenbaum, Nguyen, Lenehan, Tiedemann, van der Ploeg, & Sherrington, 2011) and therefore be used as an alternative or complimentary treatment option for mental health (Libby, Pilver, & Desai, 2012).
Despite its exposure through media, mental illness still remains misunderstood. Several people believe it is not an important issue. Should mental illness be taken as seriously as physical illness? Yes, mental illness should be as concerning as a physical illness because the mentally ill can harm themselves or others, affected employees could have a decline in productivity as a result, and loved ones and their families are negatively impacted by mental illness.
It implies that people suffering from mental health issues cannot not be merely defined as 'crazy' individuals. The majority of patients are human beings who are sick and in need of help that must be sustained over time. According to those in the mental health field, many people do not seek professional help because of the stigmatisation of mental illness (Laroi & Linden, 2009). Stigmatisation has a number of negative consequences, such as increased symptoms and stress, but more importantly, assimilation into society becomes difficult for people diagnosed with a mental illness (Laroi and Linden 2009). To ensure that the mentally ill can receive treatment and assimilate back into their communities, the stigma and myths about mental health must be addressed to educate the general public, so they can understand the struggles that these patients go through and to offer hope, compassion and support to this population.
Studies have shown that healthy physical stimulation can lead to a happier and more balanced mental state, even going so far as to battle mild depression and anxiety (Veenhoven, 2008). What makes these interactions casual is that this relationship between physical activity and mental stability is not always the case; one who does not exercise regularly or demonstrates poor maintenance of their body can be just as mentally healthy as someone engaging in the activities that most find tend to be positive for one’s mental health. Therefore, while it is true that exercise and adequate nutrition can serve as a component in vigorous mental health, for the theory of epiphenomenalism to be supported, the mind would not be able to affect the physical body in any way. The interactions between the mental and physical states are casual and are not solely determined by the body affecting the mind without the mind influencing the body at all, as epiphenomenalism suggests. Some of the best evidence for this is that those with mental illnesses often cannot simply exercise their sickness away, but instead may need to receive professional counseling or other mind-nurturing methods.
All over the world, it is believed that physical exercises help people achieve wellness. Physical exercise not only encourages physical wellness but also have a significant impact on mental stability and health. Although such positive believes stand, many benefits of physical activity has lost value overtime, as people nowadays have the tendency to rely on modern technologies and machineries, which are believe to make life easier. This often leads to shortage of physical activity and over sometime both physical and mental health will deteriorate. This argumentative essay, will explain how engaging in physical exercises improve one’s mental health.
Mental disorders are rapidly becoming more common with each new generation born in the world. Currently, nearly one in two people suffer from some form of depression, anxiety, or other mental health problem at some point in their lives (Editor). With so many people suffering from their mental illnesses, steps have been taken in order to get help needed for these people but progress has been slow. In the medical world, hospitals are treating those with physical problems with more care than those with mental problems. Prescription drugs can only do so much helping the mentally ill go through their daily lives and more should be done to help those who need more than medicine to cope with their illness. Mental health should be considered just as important as physical health because of how advanced physical healing is, how the public reacts to those with mental illness, and due to the consequences that could happen if the illness is not correctly helped.
Mei-Ying et al, (2013) research shows that physical activity reduces blood pressure. Most experts agree that a moderate to low amount of regular exercise can ease tension and stress. All types of physical training have shown to improve quality of a person’s mental, emotional, and physical health. Physical activity has been well-documented as an effective means of reducing stress and anxiety (Bland, et al 2014). Furthermore, exercise can increase the levels of endorphins, which are known to help produce positive feelings and reduce the perception of pain. Physical appearance also plays a role on self-esteem and well-being of young adults by mediating the relations between stress and psychological