Get Moving For Better Mental Health

May 24, 2012 - PRLog -- (May 24, 2012 – Toronto, ON)  

Can a daily walk improve your mood? Will riding your bike or signing up for a yoga class make you feel better both physically and mentally?  Yes, according to most studies on exercise and depression, being mobile and engaging in fitness activities is good for everyone. But for some people with moderate to severe major depression, aerobic exercise may result in a substantial improvement of their symptoms in a short time, according to several studies.    

Whether it’s the physiological benefits of exercise that include changes in the concentrations of biologically active molecules such as: cortisol, catecholamines,
opioid peptides, and cytokine      - all of which are associated with stress - or because the patients are taking an active role in trying to get better, it appears that brisk exercise for 30 minutes three times a week is good for both mind and body. This is especially true for older people.

IT’S EVERYONE’S CONCERN
With Canada’s first national Mental Health Strategy stating: “When it comes to mental health and well-being we are all the same - there is no us and them,” it recognizes that mental health is everyone’s issue, not just for those who are diagnosed with depression. Families and friends are impacted as well, and it often falls upon family members to help their loved ones engage in fitness activities that will improve their health - both physically and mentally.  

The Canadian Mental Health Association advises that, “Regular physical activity improves psychological well-being and can reduce depression and anxiety. Joining an exercise group or a gym can also reduce loneliness, since it connects you with a new set of people sharing a common goal.”  The World Health Organization says “exercise programs for seniors help to improve life satisfaction and positive mood and to reduce psychological distress and depressive symptoms. ”

Full article available at: http://mobilizecanada.50plus.com/articles/get-moving-for-...

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About MobilizeCanada

MobilizeCanada is the national communications hub of the Canadian Orthopaedic Care Strategy Group. It informs the 45-plus age group about Canada’s mobility crisis while offering practical solutions to maintain mobility and motivate healthy changes. The goal is to improve the quality of life as Canadians age while making the most efficient and beneficial use of our healthcare system. www.mobilizecanada.50plus.com

Media Contact:
Sara Rafuse
Canadian Orthopaedic Care Strategy Group
416-306-9922  srafuse@orthocarestrategy.ca

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