Physical Activities and Mental Health

"When you exercise, it increases endorphins, dopamine, adrenaline, and endocannabinoid — these are all brain chemicals associated with feeling happy, feeling confident, feeling capable, feeling less anxiety and stress, and even less physical pain".

- Dr. Kelly McGonical

 

 

 

 

Physical activity is not a cure for mental illness(es) but making it a part of your routine can be one of the many ways you positively impact your mental health.  

 

What is Physical Activity

Last week on Something and Sentiments we examined Art and Mental Health. To continue on the topic of the relationship between creative activities and mental health, we will dive into the world of physical activity. Moreover, we will analyze physical activity and mental health's relationship. Physical activity "is defined as any voluntary bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure" (Wiki 2022). Thus, any bodily movement that is done for a set time, such as running or dancing, is a form of physical activity. Exercising and working out are just some of the synonyms for the act and the term physical activity.

 

The History of Physical Activity and Mental Health

 

I may have given the definition as well as synonyms for physical activity as if people are not familiar with the term. Nevertheless, we all know it is not a new concept. Physical activity can be traced back to the beginning of time. However, in the National Library of Medicine article NCBI A History of Physical Activity, Health, and Medicine the first use of physical activity for medical reasons was done by Chinese surgeon Hua To around 2500 B.C. The article is a 4-page excerpt that discusses the history of physical activity and medical use in many cultures such as Asian, Greek, Roman, etc. Additionally, the article mentions that the martial art style Kung Fu was initially used as medical gymnastics.

 

How Does Physical Activity affect Mental Health

 

So have you ever wondered why some doctors will recommend a patient struggling mentally or emotionally to exercise alongside other prescriptions? Well, when a brain releases too much or too little serotonin and cortisol  just two of its many hormones it can contribute to a plethora of mental health conditions, for example, depression and anxiety. Therefore, physical activities such as walking or biking "can release endorphins, dopamine, adrenaline, and endocannabinoid...these are all brain chemicals associated with feeling happy, feeling confident, feeling capable, feeling less anxiety and stress, and even less physical pain" (Dr. Kelly McGonical). The Mental Health Foundation article Physical Activity and Mental Health states how physical activity can reduce stress and increase appetite or the level of motivation. The article also provides tips for how someone can get started with exercising to benefit an individual's mental health. Additionally, the article advises those that want to workout but may experience certain symptoms from mental illness(es) or have other health conditions and are taking specific medications.

 

Physical Activity, Mental Health and Georgia

 

Maybe you're like me and do not enjoy working out but instead prefer dancing. Nonetheless, finding a physical activity that interests you as well as does not aggravate your mental illness(es) or other health conditions can sometimes be difficult. Thus, choosing from the gyms in your area or a center that offers a sport you may enjoy is a great way to introduce or keep physical activity in your life. On the contrary, the journey to finding a physical activity for yourself also can be money-consuming. Hence, working out at home, whether in Georgia or wherever you are located, can be the cheapest and funniest option for you. Here are some dancing videos on YouTube that can definitely get the heart racing and reduce stress in the comfort of your home:

 

 

After reading this post, do you think physical activity can positively affect your mental health? What are some physical activities or sports that you enjoy? What are some physical activities or sports that you do not enjoy?

- X

CC Attribution: 

"Basketball" by mvongrue is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. 

"Y-City Gymnastics Meet - February 2017" by secondtree is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. 

"gumboot dance" by jima is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. 

"Dance" by Juliana Chong is licensed under CC BY 2.0. 

"West Highland Way running" by Robin McConnell is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

 

 

 

 

Art and Mental Health

A good sketch is better than a long speech or A  picture is  worth a thousand words. - Napoleon Bonaparte

 

 

Art can be a hobby, a career, or a source of expression. However, some believe it can remedy some of the symptoms of mental health condition(s). 

 

What is Art Therapy

 

Last week's blog post Music and Mental Health explored Music Therapy , which is a type of Arts Therapy. While today I would like to discuss Art Therapy. So what is Art Therapy? Well, Art Therapy is a therapeutic practice made up of three healing methods that are analytic art, art psychotherapy, and the lens of art therapy. The first method, Analytic art therapy focuses on the client, the therapist, and the ideas that are transferred between the both of them through art  (Wiki 2022). Contrarily, art psychotherapy is a combination of art and verbal analysis as well as communication. Lastly, the lens of art therapy is ...the creation process of the art... (Wiki 2022). Art Therapy consists of treating mental health conditions such as ED, autism, anxiety, etc, by drawing thoughts or feelings, discussing drawings created during therapy sessions, and so forth.

 

The History of Art and Mental Health

Art was used as a pain or stress reliever long before it became a part of the 18th century's Moral Treatment. Nevertheless, by the 1900s Art Therapy was furthered by Adrian Hill, E. M. Lyddiatt, Michael Edwards, Diana Raphael-Halliday, Rita Simons, and so on. Furthermore, Art Therapy became a career and degree option in the 20th century. Today, Art Therapy is a commonly used method within psychotherapy and is offered in many hospitals, facilities, as well as medical organizations.

 

Georgia, Art Therapy, and Mental Health 

 

As mentioned before in last week's blog post Music and Mental Health, there are a lot of people throughout the world, including individuals in Georgia, suffering from certain mental health conditions. Around 18 % of Georgia's population deals with medical issues that are mental health related. Psychology Today is a frequently used website for individuals to be able to find medical help, such as Art Therapy from any part of the world including Georgia. Recovery in Georgia states how medical care is a luxury that not every individual who is dealing with mental health conditions can afford. Thus, I want to state that there is the option of taking free in-person art classes as well as free art online courses for all age groups. In addition to finding free in-person and online art workshop classes, you can try a version of Art Therapy in your home. Moreover, you can simply search for Art Therapy on YouTube. Of course, this would be loosely based on the practice done in Art Therapy since it will be done without a medical professional. Even so, I found that drawing, painting, and sketching have remedied some of my anxiety symptoms. Thirsty For Art is a YouTube channel that illustrates how something similar to Art Therapy can be done at home. In particular, I enjoyed the video below when I began using drawing to help cope with my anxiety:

 

Do you think that pictures can sometimes express emotions better than words? Have you found drawing or painting to be helpful for your mental and emotional state? What do you like to do to help relieve stress or pain?

- X

 

 

CC Attribution: 

"Brain nebula" by ezhikoff is licensed under CC BY 2.0. 

"Fluid Painting detail" by markchadwickart is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. 

"Goldener Bilderrahmen - gold picture frame" by eriwst is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. 

"gaudy picture frame" by Mr Thinktank is licensed under CC BY 2.0. 

"NYC - Metropolitan Museum of Art: Matthew Pratt's The American School" by wallyg is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. 

"Paint Brushes" by 3rd foundation is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0. 

"Painting With Light" by cypheroz is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.