Movember is a fantastic cause that raises awareness of Men’s Health issues, of which one facet is Mental Health and Depression.
We all know Depression can be debilitating. Men in particular are very good at trying to ignore it. One of the barriers to seeking help is the belief that medication will have to be used, however recent research is showing that Exercise can be just as effective.
Exercise is already strongly related to improvements in physical health, body image, stress management and improved quality of life. A fantastic piece of science reviewing the effects of Exercise Therapy on Major Depression (see article details below) noted that in mild to moderate cases of depression, the effect of exercise was comparable to that of anti-depressant medication and psychotherapy. It also showed that those with more significant depression should also use exercise in addition to their other professionally recommended treatments.
Applying various motivational strategies was recommended, particularly with regard to the construction and provision of the exercise program. Three key components of an effective approach were identified:
1. Assessment of key health risks of activity – eg. cardiovascular issues or diabetes
2. Assessment of current physical fitness to establish a base-line
3. Discussing the barriers to undertaking the exercise program.
So if you believe in Movember and assisting with Men’s Mental health, I would recommended having your special someone speak to a qualified Exercise Professional as part of their health plan. The benefits are amazing, and the side-effects only positive!
References
Knapen et al (2014) – Exercise therapy improves both mental and physical health with major depression.