Physical Activity and Mental Health
By Ashley Aiton
Carol Welch once said “Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states.” Physical Activity is one of the most important qualities when it comes to leading a mentally healthy lifestyle. We understand that each individual is different and physical activity has a wide and individualistic meaning. The definition for physical activity is “the movement of one’s body that uses energy”. Due to the wide range of this definition we encourage individuals to start where they are at. Without pressure or comparison to others. Comparison can cause greater frustration and more mental stress.
There are many different ideas for physical activity depending on where your current physical health is at. Physical activity could include..
Walking
Biking
Hiking
Carrying a child
Pushing a stroller
Playing a sport
Walking up and down stairs
Weight training
Etc.
There are many benefits to physical activity. The CDC states “Some benefits of physical activity on brain health happen right after a session of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Benefits include improved thinking or cognition for children 6 to 13 of age and reduced short-term feelings of anxiety for adults. Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age. It can also reduce your risk of depression and anxiety and help you sleep better.”
There are countless ways that individuals can benefit from exercise. Exercise can assist in weight loss and can reduce your risk of suffering from different diseases. We here at the Rexburg Free Clinic encourage everyone to find enjoyable ways to exercise. The more you enjoy the activity the more likely you are to continue to perform that physical activity.
The Rexburg free clinic offers an array of volunteer events which oftentimes includes some form of physical activity. We encourage everyone to come join and learn more about how they can improve their overall mental health.
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Rexburg Free Clinic
References
Benefits of Physical Activity. (2022, May 3). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved May 23, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm