Mental Health
Overview
Mental Health involves ones emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act. Two of the most commonly diagnosed mental health conditions are anxiety and depression, both of which are can be associated with feelings of dread, fatigue and sadness.
Physical activity, a balanced diet and sufficient sunlight are just a few of the many things that can help you to improve and manage your mental wellbeing.
Physical Activity & Mental Health
Physical Activity is crucial for the prevention and management of long-term health conditions, is the cornerstone of many rehabilitation pathways, improves our mental and physical wellbeing, and enables us to age well, living our best lives for longer.
Engagement in physical activity has been found to significantly enhance mental wellbeing across the entirety of the lifespan. The link between physical activity and enhanced mental and emotional wellbeing is well established within the scientific literature, demonstrating a consistent ability for physical activity to reduce anxious and depressive feelings, alleviate stress, improve cognitive function and act as a key regulator of mood.
Physical activity can both prevent and directly combat depression and anxiety. It is recommended as a “first line” of treatment for depression and has been shown to be as effective as cognitive behavioural therapy for both depression and anxiety.
Physical activity doesn’t need to be strenuous to be effective. For many people, traditional exercise is daunting and off-putting and engaging in these forms of activity could even heighten stress levels instead. Similar benefits are gained from simply undertaking everyday activities such as gardening, housework, or walking. Simply getting your body moving can help get endorphins flowing and relieve stress.
The Benefits of Physical Activity for Mental Health
There are several mechanisms thought to be responsible for these benefits, ranging from physiological to psychological. Regular physical activity may help treat depression and anxiety through stimulating the release of endorphins, which are natural brain chemicals that can enhance your sense of wellbeing. It also helps by taking your mind away from worries, allowing you to remove yourself from the constant cycle of negative thoughts that contribute significantly to depression and anxiety
It is not only those who suffer from a diagnosed mental health condition that can benefit from regular physical activity. The majority of people have experienced periods of low mood and low self-esteem at some point during their life. The mechanisms that help to combat symptoms of mental health disorders will apply to the general population when experiencing these feelings. Physical activity has also been shown to improve sleep quality, which in turn leads to more positive mood and higher energy levels. In addition to this, regular physical activity can improve fitness and body image, which is a source of negative feelings for many.
Therefore, regular physical activity is a valuable tool to help regulate mental health and wellbeing for everyone, with or without a mental health disorder
How do we Help Mental Health?
We believe that physical activity can break the perceived barrier between mental and physical health due to the simultaneous benefits it can provide to both.
Whether people are managing long-term conditions, mental health or simply looking to age well, we can harness physical activity to put the power back in their hands, empowering them to self-care and be proactive in the pursuit of their health and wellbeing goals.
Our digital therapy is clinically proven to empower sustainable behaviour change for physical activity and improve self-care, without the need to visit clinics or gyms. It’s not about sport or exercise, but rather finding the value of movement in you daily routine and re-establishing everyday physical activity as the foundation for health and wellbeing.
We utilise a personalised, mentor-guided digital service which empowers individuals to make sustainable changes to their lifestyle. Imparting an understanding that physical activity is more than just exercise and sport, and that every move matter can allow anyone to make simple yet effective changes that result in a variety of health benefits. As such, KiActiv® Health provides an accessible option for everyone.
Client Quotes
“It’s helped my depression. My psychologist has said it’s made me get out more in to the air which all helps my mental health.”
“The depressive dips have decreased. About halfway through the programme, I came out of the at risk category. I’m feeling really great at the moment.” – 71, Female, Depression & Type 2 Diabetes
“Before this I wasn’t really doing much, it’s made me move about again and psychologically its really good.”
“Not only beneficial to your physical health but also very beneficial to your mental health as well.” – 75, Female, Type 2 Diabetes
“I believe that participating in the KiActiv, has helped with achieving better sleep, as most of my improvements have come from walking, I can cover much more distance in the same period of time as I allocated previously, It also has been beneficial to destressing and aid relaxation. Now the weather is good I am enjoying much longer walks and feel less tense. I use a fitness app on my mobile which is improving my agility.”– 58, Female, Type 2 Diabetes
“I’m really pleased with it – in terms of mentally for me, it’s been quite huge. equally I haven’t had a depressive episode in a few months now. from that point of view, what I’m doing is the stepping stones for going forward” “I’ve halved my anxiety medication. that’s a positive built in with all of this.”– 55, Female, Anxiety, Obesity & Asthma
“Activity helps your mental state. The more your mental state is improved, the more you want to do activity.” “You’ve really opened my eyes. This is a fantastic thing that KiActiv® are doing.”– 71, Female, Anxiety & Hypertension
“It also made me realise that you don’t have to do a massive exercise, but every movement make a difference in your health.” – 57, Female, Depression & Hypertension
