JWPH International Journal Of Wellness And Public Health

ABSTRACT

This comprehensive review delves into the multifaceted relationship between physical activity and mental health. In addition to its well-documented advantages for physical well-being, this study illuminates the manifold positive effects of physical activity on mental health. A discernible link is established between physical inactivity and elevated morbidity rates, along with increased healthcare expenditures. As a commonly recommended therapeutic approach, exercise therapy emerges as a pivotal strategy for mitigating these challenges and preserving mental wellness. Empirical investigations consistently demonstrate a positive correlation between engagement in physical activity and specific mental health attributes. Notably, non-clinical studies underscore the pronounced impact of physical exercise on self-concept and body image. This review endeavours to provide a contemporary understanding of the intricate physiological and psychological mechanisms through which exercise fosters mental health. The benefits of regular physical activity extend to the enhancement of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, albeit with varying degrees of influence on depression and anxiety in the general population compared to clinical cohorts. Several hypotheses are posited to elucidate the intricate nexus between physical fitness and mental well-being. Furthermore, empirical evidence attests to the positive effects of physical activity on sleep patterns and its potential in ameliorating diverse psychiatric disorders. The broader spectrum of exercise is associated with improved mood and an elevated quality of life. This review also underscores the potential of physical exercise and yoga as tools for managing substance cravings, particularly among individuals with limited access to alternative therapeutic modalities. Moreover, evidence suggests that increased physical activity can mitigate certain psychotic symptoms and address medical comorbidities frequently accompanying psychotic disorders. Despite the wealth of research in this area, the scarcity of literature highlights the pressing need for further investigation aimed at evaluating and implementing culturally tailored interventions for physical activity.

Keywords: Wellbeing; physical activity; Review; Mental Health.

 

Do any authors have Conflicts of Interest to declare?

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Data Availability Statement

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Funding Statement

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I have reviewed and understood all of the above.

yes