Mental Health Through Exercise: How To Incorporate Physical Activity into Psychotherapeutic Treatment
Members Download: TNPTVol4Issue5pp24-37
Exercise is one of the best things we can do for our physical wellbeing; this has long been known. It has only been more recently, however, that research has demonstrated exercise is just as much, if not more, beneficial for our mental health. As therapists and clinicians, we hopefully already know about this link, but do we fully comprehend the remarkable ways exercise can change our body and mind? Do we recognize the value of exercise and include it in our clients’ treatment plans? Do we take it one step further and actually teach clients how to start and keep exercising for their mental health?
For most of us, I venture to guess, the answer is “No”. Yet exercise is quite literally one of the best things we can do for our body, mind, and spirit, and the research to back this up is prolific. While we may understand some of the benefits of exercise, we likely do not grasp its full potential. We may even recommend exercise to clients but forego the extra step to show them how to make exercise work for them. As we learn more about the link between exercise and mental health, and the tools to start and stick with it long-term, this can—and hopefully will—change…
This is SO important! I am struggling with how to propose this gracefully. I do sports and other physical activities (hence some of my resilience?) Recently, I was awarded an ‘assistant instructor of Tai Chi,’ certificate, all to say I,too, continue to learn new ways to move as I get older. I do propose walking, noting 3 special aspects of the Client’s surroundings. They could also listen to an audiobook while walking. Respectfully engaging the body in movemement demonstrates the desire to integrate and listen to this subconscious domain. That puts work on M/B dissonance into direct action.