You think Counseling and Medication is the most effective way to treat mental health issues?
Think again.
In 2023 Dr Singh et al. published a revolutionary Study that will make you question everything you know about modern Mental Health Treatments.
Modern Mental Health Specialists recommend a combination of Counseling and Medication.
Exercise is seen as an add-on. A “Nice to have.”
I studied Psychology and I was shocked at how little was talked about the effects of physical exercise on the brain.
It was always mentioned on a side note. Almost dismissed even.
But New Studies show:
It should be the reverse.
Exercise should always be the first step toward curing any mental health issue.
Counseling and medication should be the add-ons.
In 2023 Dr. Singh’s study found:
“Physical activity is 1.5 times more effective for conditions such as anxiety and depression and psychological stress than medication or standard psychotherapy.”
That’s huge! That means every mentally unwell person should do everything in their power to move their body.
These findings also make sense biologically:
Most people today are stagnant.
You sit in your car to go to work.
You sit on your chair to work.
You sit to eat your meals.
You sit scrolling on your phone.
You spent most of your time in stagnation.
This is NOT natural to how we humans used to live.
We used to move all day.
We built houses.
We climbed trees.
We hunted for food.
We swam across rivers.
We ran through forests.
For centuries we moved our body constantly.
And this is not how we live today.
Consequence? Sickness.
Inactivity stresses your body and it manifests in your mind:
Depression, Anxiety and psychological stress – they are symptoms of stagnation.
You have mental health issues because your body craves movement.
Craving to feel alive.
Craving to be useful.
Craving to stretch its limits.
Craving to exhaust its muscles.
Craving to release built-up energy.
Therefore the solution to your mental health issues is to MOVE YOUR BODY.
But Important notice:
This is not to say exercise alone cures all mental health issues.
It’s also not to say counseling or medication are irrelevant.
But it’s to say that physical activity is THE key factor to effective treatment.
Therefore exercise should be the first-line treatment for mental health issues and not just an ‘added extra’ as it’s often seen in medicine.
So what should future treatment look like?
Here are the 3 Steps:
- Perform a physical exercise you like.(walking, running, swimming, ballsports, MMA, etc…) for a minimum of 150 min a week
- Not cured after 30 days? Start additional psychotherapy or counseling
- Issue still persists? Consider additional medication
The Key here:
If physical exercise doesn’t work alone you don’t replace it with counseling or medication. You add them to exercise.
Physical exercise should always be part of the treatment plan for any (mental) health issue.
This study proves the mind-body connection:
Healthy Body – Healthy Mind.
So the solution to your mental health issues is taking good care of your body.
- Sleep well
- Eat healthy
- Move your body
I’m convinced that will solve most of your problems.