Exercise as Medicine for Mental Health
Many of us are currently facing more stresses and anxieties than we are used to and being forced to find new ways to cope and get our mental health under control. One method we may consider is utilizing physical activity and allowing the various intrinsic benefits to help us out. While the benefits are numerous, let’s look at a few key reasons to begin exercising for our sanity and mental health.
Anxiety and Depression Associated with Physical Pain
“Thats the thing about pain. It demands to be felt.”- John Green
Early on in college, I decided in addition to majoring in physical therapy, I would also major in psychology. Why? I felt that if I was going to treat and understand the physical aspect of a person, I better understand a little bit about the brain, thoughts and emotion of an individual. After all, each of us is not just a body or a brain. We have both. Why is it that it’s readily accepted as the “norm” if you mention you have knee arthritis or back pain, however, it becomes taboo to discuss the psychology or emotion that may be involved with that pain? I firmly believe that the psychology of what one is experiencing is extremely important to discuss and address. (more…)
