Fitness & Nutrition Program For Mental Health

Physical Fitness

Overall health is important for mental health. We encourage a holistic approach to recovery, using as many treatment options as available to our patients. Treatments that will target not only the mind and soul but the physical body as well.

It is important to take control of one’s physical health and the plethora of benefits that come with incorporating a healthy physical fitness routine into your life. It really can boost the overall success of your mental health, and sobriety, along with your long-term medical health.

Why Is Physical Fitness Important in Mental Health?

Rewiring the brain is a big part of the treatment of most mental health illnesses. According to the Harvard Health Letter, several studies have shown that as simple as thirty minutes of exercise a few times a week can improve mental performance and help fight off depression.

Exercising has not only been shown to reduce depression but to affect other functions as well. It has been shown to alleviate anxiety, lessen low self-esteem, decrease negative moods, and reduce social withdrawal. It also has positively increased cognitive functioning and boosted self-esteem.

Nutrition Is Another Crucial Component

Getting the proper nutrition and hydration, the body needs for those with mental illness can be challenging. Though with physical health, it involves more than just physical exercise; it also requires nutrition and hydration. That is a key to overall wellness.

Nutrition is vital during recovery because, with many mental illnesses, the symptoms make it challenging to follow proper nutrition habits. For example, with depression, a person can go through periods of hardly eating, making them lack many vitamins and nutrients their body needs. It is possible their body would potentially go without proper hydration in addition.

Some mental illnesses may cause one to binge and purge food which doesn’t give the body enough time to absorb nutrition properly. In addition, it also damages their internal organs and continues to cause nutritional deficiencies leading to malnourishment.

Other Wellness Strategies

Physical exercise and nutrition are crucial but other types of physical wellness are beneficial too! Here are some examples:

• Yoga — There are many different types and styles of yoga. Bikram Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Yin Yoga, and more.
• Chiropractic Care — Some have said that their mental health correlates with chronic pain. Having a chiropractic adjustment has been beneficial for some in treating pain without substance use.
• Acupuncture — Helpful for reducing stress which oftentimes can be triggering for their mental health. Patients undergoing acupuncture treatments have said it has reduced stress, which has helped some cope better with their illnesses.
• Massage Therapy — Regular massage is a great way to keep calm and focused and is a great way to manage self-care while coping with mental illness.