Mental illness affects millions of people across the U.S. Yet, many people do not reach out for treatment, have limited access to treatment, or do not realize that they need treatment. When a person receives treatment, it does not mean that the person is cured of their mental health disorder. There are ways to help improve mental health among most individuals, including reaping the mental health benefits to exercise on a regular basis. Oceanfront Recovery recognizes the importance of exercise in substance abuse treatment, and the mental health benefits of exercise.

Learn what research says about mental health benefits of exercise and how exercise can potentially help provide a boost to your mental health and overall well-being or possibly benefit your loved one.

Mental Health Disorders and Mental Health Treatment

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reveals that as many as one in every five adults in the United States live with at least one mental illness. There were more than 46 million individuals with a mental illness in 2017. There are many degrees of mental illness and many types of mental illness. Some of the commonly known mental illnesses include:

Depression
Anxiety
Obsessive compulsive disorders
Bipolar disorders
Eating disorders
Mood disorders

Other mental health disorders include any type of disorder that is currently diagnosed, or that has been professionally diagnosed within the previous year.

A National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) contributor reports that as many as 60 percent of all adults, and nearly 50 percent of adolescents do not receive treatment for their diagnosed mental illness.

Mental Health Benefits to Exercise

There are several barriers to mental health treatment. Some people do not have access to exceptional mental health treatment programs such as the programs offered by Oceanfront Recovery. Others have issues or side effects with taking medications prescribed for their mental health disorder.

Research shows that there are mental health benefits to exercise when you have a mental health disorder. An article published in the Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry indicates that aerobic exercise, and exercise that included jogging, swimming, walking, gardening, or certain other exercises have proven benefits to helping reduce depression and anxiety.

Other potential mental health benefits of exercise potentially include:

Reducing self-isolation
Producing a calming effect
Improves self-esteem
Increase in perceived energy level
Helps regulate emotions

A Psychology Today contributor indicates that exercise directly affects the brain. The hippocampus, a region of the brain that is important to mental health benefits from the creation of new neurons in the region.

How Does Oceanfront Recovery Incorporate Exercise into Treatment Programs?

The staff and treatment team for our mental health treatment programs realize that exercise is an important aspect to treatment. Oceanfront Recovery Substance Abuse Treatment programs incorporate exercise into programming, recognizing the importance of overall well-being in recovery.

When a person has a substance abuse addiction, anxiety, panic disorders, and depression sometimes become issues. Some people that have dual diagnosis disorders utilize mental health benefits of exercise in their treatment to help maintain a sense of tranquility and well-being.

The Mayo Clinic is another source that reveals the mental health benefits of exercise, saying that research proves that exercise has both positive physical and psychological effects. Exercise improves mood, in addition to helping relieve some symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Contact Oceanfront Recovery to learn more about mental health treatment programs, and to start your recovery. Do you have substance abuse treatment needs? We welcome you or your loved one into our treatment programs for addiction or mental health disorders.