Exercise and Mental Health: Insights from a Researcher

You’ve probably heard about the guidelines that identify the types and amounts of physical activity that research shows bring best results for physical health.  What does it take to get the benefits of physical activity for mental wellbeing that we discussed in Part One of my video interview with Lynette Craft, PhD?

In this, the second section of that interview, Dr. Craft explains what research is showing so far about the types and amounts of exercise that are effective for mental health.  She also provides some helpful insights, based on her experience working with people, about reasonable expectations for how much time it will take before people beginning physical activity experience the mental wellbeing discussed.

Want tips to get active your way? 

Try this quick online quiz from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to instantly get tips and ideas for next steps matched to your goals.

Be Active Your Way (open accessible version in new window)

Let’s talk:  What has been your experience about physical activity and your mood, energy and mental health?  Have you noticed a type of exercise that works best for you, or an amount that you need to get in order to really feel change in mood?

Check back soon  for the final section of my interview with Dr. Craft, in which she shares tips based on insights she’s gathered in her work with people about what seems to help establish physical activity in a lifestyle.

Resources:

When it comes to the physical health benefits of being active, here are a few resources if you’re looking for the current U.S. recommendations and the research behind them:

Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans At-A-Glance: A Fact Sheet for Professionals.  Dept of Health and Human Services. 2008.

Here’s the complete set of guidelines:  2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Dept of Health and Human Services. 2008.

And here’s the Advisory Committee report that identifies the research on which the guidelines are based.  Since this report was written, much more research adds further support, but this report shows you where it started.  Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report, 2008.