Schizophrenia Exercise for Strong Mental Health
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
- Hi! I'm Stephen. Regular exercise has greatly improved my mental health by reducing anxiety, improving my mood and self-esteem, and enhancing my overall cognitive functioning. Additionally, exercising has improved the quality of my sleep, which has improved my mental health.
Exercise can improve mental health and wellness by:
(1) boosting mood-enhancing chemicals, exercise increases the release of endorphins, the body's natural mood-boosting chemicals;
(2) reducing stress hormones, exercise can reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body, leading to decreased stress and anxiety;
(3) improving brain function, exercise can increase the growth of new brain cells and improve overall cognitive function;
(4) enhancing self-esteem, exercise can improve self-esteem and body image, which can have a positive impact on mental health;
(5) providing a sense of accomplishment, exercise can provide a sense of accomplishment and increase feelings of empowerment and control, which can improve overall well-being; and
(6) promoting better sleep, and exercise can improve sleep quality and alleviate symptoms of insomnia, leading to improved mental health.
Introduction:
In today's fast-paced world, stress and mental health issues have become common problems. With the rise of sedentary lifestyles and desk-bound jobs, physical activity has become limited for many individuals. However, research shows that exercise has a powerful link with mental health, and regular exercise can help alleviate stress and improve overall mental well-being. In this blog, we will explore this powerful link between exercise and mental health.
How Exercise Helps with Stress:
When we experience stress, our body releases cortisol, a stress hormone. Prolonged exposure to cortisol can lead to various health problems such as anxiety, depression, and even physical health issues like cardiovascular diseases. Exercise has been shown to reduce cortisol levels in the body, thus helping to reduce stress.
Exercise also releases endorphins, also known as the feel-good hormone. Endorphins are responsible for the feeling of euphoria or the "runner's high" that people experience after exercise. This chemical release in the brain can help to reduce stress and improve mood.
In addition to reducing cortisol levels and increasing endorphin release, exercise can also help distract the mind from stressful thoughts. By focusing on physical activity, individuals can take a break from the stresses of everyday life and clear their minds. Exercise can also help improve sleep quality, which is important for reducing stress levels.
The Connection between Exercise and Depression:
Depression is a mental health disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Research has shown that exercise can be an effective tool in managing depression symptoms. Regular exercise has been found to increase the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, which are responsible for regulating mood.
In addition to the chemical benefits, exercise can also provide a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem, which can be especially helpful for individuals struggling with depression. Exercise can also provide a social outlet and help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, which are common symptoms of depression.
The Benefits of Exercise for Anxiety:
Anxiety is another common mental health issue that can significantly impact an individual's daily life. Exercise has been found to reduce symptoms of anxiety by reducing the levels of stress hormones in the body, similar to how it helps with stress reduction.
In addition to reducing stress hormones, exercise can also help individuals feel more in control of their bodies and minds. This sense of control can be particularly helpful for individuals with anxiety disorders who often feel like they have lost control of their thoughts and emotions.
The Role of Exercise in Improving Cognitive Function:
Exercise can also help improve cognitive function, which can be particularly helpful for individuals with mental health disorders that impact cognitive abilities. Regular exercise has been found to improve memory, attention, and executive function. This improvement in cognitive function can help individuals with mental health disorders to better manage their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, exercise has a powerful link with mental health. Regular exercise can help alleviate stress, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and improve cognitive function. Exercise can also provide a sense of accomplishment, self-esteem, and social interaction, which can be particularly helpful for individuals struggling with mental health issues. Therefore, incorporating exercise into our daily routine can be an effective tool for maintaining good mental health and well-being.
#schizophrenia #anxiety #mentalhealth #depression
Stephen you have begun to spread your wings and you WILL soar like a eagles 🦅
You are getting your feet under you. You are an inspiration to so many I hope you know that 💞
Not only to oneself but with friends, loved ones, family, health care workers and such. Thank you.
Your friend from South Jersey 🌞
Thank you very much Pauline! I really appreciate it!
I’ve been out walking in the snow and cold. I do feel better when it’s over.
Thank you Shelley! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
Hi Stephen! Listening to your latest installment and you've inspired me..putting on my running shoes as I type! I've always felt that tending for my mental health is like tending to a garden (my folks were farmworkers so this analogy works for me!) My thoughts, beliefs and actions are seeds and my diet is the soil. Just like a garden, if I just throw seeds on top of soil, some may germinate but many will not; I need to intentionally till the ground and cover the seeds, then keep tending.. in this analogy, exercise is the same as tilling so that my mental health can take root and grow with intention. The equivalent to tending is building my village, my community. Your channel is doing this, and your message is extending far and wide...I am honored to be a part of this village you are building, a village of compassion, of warriors committed to ending stigma, so that everyone can live with dignity and self regard....thank you 🙏🏽
Thank you Lisa! It means so much to me that you’re on my journey to helping me survive schizophrenia. Your comments brighten my day!
I think its great at what you do. I talk to my therapist she is going to help me with public speaking to help people with bipolar get to the beautiful place Iam today . your doing great
Thank you Dan!
Another interesting video. Great information!
Thank you very much Paul! Glad you enjoyed it!
What sets a great example is how your dad is supporting you and clearly loves you. Great job to both you and dad for setting an example of excellent parenting. ❤
Thank you very much for your kind words and support!
Hi Stephen, thanks for such a wonderful video, I absolutely loved it! About 3 minutes in I paused it and went for a walk myself, so thanks for that inspiration! Now that I'm back and finished watching it, I'll say again, I loved it, and I think you and your father make such a great team! I will also add that it's been almost 15 years now since I was hospitalized and put on zyprexa for bipolar disorder and I still haven't started doing anything important and productive, like you're doing with your channel. "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice", that's one of my favorite sayings, but still, I would love to be someone that contributes to society, like you do. And you know what, I may never make it but I'm really happy knowing that at least one fellow did :) Thanks again for your video and best wishes to both you and your wonderful community :)
Little_Ingy thank you for your inspiring words! They are very touching and kindhearted and make me feel good!
Keep up the good work Stephen. I also struggle with a mental illness and I find that exercise does help!
Thank you Natashia for your kind comment and sharing!
You know you guys are a awesome team. 🙂 In terms of parents and their off-spring suffering from a place of debilitation I would imagine their natural instinct is to take over, especially if their off-spring is already somewhat a dependent... In the case of psychosis I would imagine it's a really difficult thing to understand. I will share my thoughts here, but please bear in mind I am not a health professional etc. and these are just purely my thoughts based upon my own personal experiences...
Debilitation can have a negative effect on someone's self-esteem, and stigmas associated with some diagnosis might effect someone's self-pride. Having a meaningful direction is to have purpose and motivation, and as someone moves towards their goals and sees progress they in turn start to believe in them self, their capabilities, while perhaps exploring the prospect of other possibilities. They start to value themselves more and return to a place of self-pride, all the while everyone notices the positive differences. This is all validation of returning to a healthy frame of mind, and it's important to leave debilitation/psychosis in the past. Closure in my opinion might be the difference in making sure it never returns (a change of mind-set, which may allow someone to dismiss future influences)... Psychosis in my opinion can be a period of debilitation amongst other things and coming through it is probably down to health teams and following their advice/guidance etc. but I think once out of psychosis it's important to start having forward vision and not to dwell on the past or to allow them self to become somewhat stagnant. Just like physiotherapy might get someone back active, having forward purpose may allow for speedier healing and returning to a place of independence etc...
Thank you John! I really appreciate your support!
You are wonderful role model, Stephen. So is your Dad. There really is no handbook for navigating schizophrenia. I'm so grateful for you positive example. I learn so much from your videos. Thank you.
Thank you Jean! I really appreciate the positive feedback!
Very True. Chess Players know that to play better chess it is important to stay physically fit.
Thank you Ronald!
anything that makes me feel powerful is much needed :) great video Stephen
Thank you so much Susanna!
My Sons experience with schizophrenia is very much like Stephen's. Time line wise.When Stephen was becoming ill did he get a little childish? My son had to have legos at times. Does he like to spend money?My son needs something everytime we go to the store. We have ro talk to him all the time about differentiating wants from needs and not getting excited about money. I am so proud and glad that Stephen is more self aware. Thanks for your insight.
Keep it up Stephen, that's great to hear! 👏👏
Thank you Provostg!
You are so lucky that you have a beautiful scenery when you walk. For instance, you have plants, the ocean, and then a fountain. Where I live, there are many places to go shopping. You see. That’s dangerous for people like me with bipolar disorder. Then I found an art group that I can go to where I paint, read, and I can color. I hope that you are doing well, Stephen. I have a weight problem because of hypothyroidism and I wasn’t on the therapeutic dosage of levothyroxine for several months. Then I gradually stopped gaining weight. Yesterday, I took a long walk. It’s dangerous though because drivers don’t really care about the safety of the pedestrians. Especially our elderly drivers are poor drivers. They should not be driving and I almost got hit more than once. This woman who I used to be friends with got hit by a car because she was dressed cute. I believe she saw the driver. She said it was a white car. She had a blue purse. The car had blue on the front after my friend got hit. I went into the parking lot of where I lived to look for a car with a blue mark on it. I wrote down the license plate number. It was a hit and run. Now there is a lady in jail for manslaughter. My friend was knocked unconscious. She had stitches in her head. Also, she had an MRI. I believe that my friend had an expensive hospital bill. For some weird reason, I can picture a woman in jail for life because she didn’t stop her car. If she stopped her car, she would not be in jail. A car can be like a weapon. So there is my apartment complex. That’s kind of safe. It’s safer than where I used to live. People walk their dogs a lot. Yesterday this man told me what type of dog he has. A black something. I forgot and feel foggy. I did not sleep well. Congratulations Steve for doing so well with your medication. I wish that I could say the same. My story was sad, disturbing, and triggering. I guess that I alkali have OCD. Isn’t it obvious? Maybe you should be a psychiatrist, Steve? Seriously. You know a lot and your interest is in helping people with psychiatric disabilities. You are also very young. If not that, you could be a therapist. Or a gym teacher since you live exercise because I believe that you can motivate high school students to exercise hard.
Thank you very much.
Thank you for giving this valuable information.
Glad it was helpful!
You seem to have so much more energy these days, Stephen.
Previously, you seemed to be struggling with tiredness. I assume the exercise and routine of work have made a big difference. You are coming up with all these creative ideas for podcasts, too. When do these pop into your head? Out walking?
Thank you Noreen! I usually get my best ideas while showering.
Hi Stephen. Another great video with helpful ideas about exercise. Everyone can benefit from exercise...it's a spirit lifter! It's so good to see your smiling face. Your idea to start this channel was the best decision..you've gained support, and we have gained knowledge and friendship. Keep up the good work!
Thanks very much Cheryl! I really appreciate your support and encouragement! It helps a lot
Don't forget to rest though! I have a complete week off weight training every 3 months that's this week! ... Don't mean to be preachy just the personal trainer coming out in me ha
Thank you Alexander! I will be sure to rest often. Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
I really suffered when my local gym closed during Covid. It didn't make any sense to me at all, since people who engaged in regular physical activity not only had better cognitive function (as you say in the video), but were also more resistant to viral infections.
I have schizo affective disorder bi polar type. I just took a walk. I didn't get out yesterday and I've got to stop doing that. I need a combination of exposure to the public and exercise every day the weather permits.
Thank you very much for sharing Justin! Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
Thank you very informative. Blessings
Thank you!
Great video Stephen,it was great seeing you today “Lunada Bay Park”
Thank you so much Carlos!
👍💪😁
Thank you Orlando!
Go steady
Unwavering without deviation.
Thank you Maverick!
Thank you so much for the wonderful tips❤
love you man
Thank you very much! I appreciate it!
You both are wonderful sharing your experiences with controlling the brain disease. My son too has this brain disease as well and I am trying to get him more proactive in his wellness. He too is on Clozapine and many other supplements. He currently takes Clozapine 450 mg. He has been in this for a year but recently increased to 450 mg. How do you deal with the GI symptoms and do you take an antidepressant along with your Clozapine?
Thank you Lorie. I don’t have any GI symptoms. I take 175mg of Clozapine and along with that 10mg of Lexapro for depression. I also take 5mg of Abilify which has antidepressant properties.
I have schizophrenia, I know medication can be very harsh on the body in terms of exercise, I recommend boxing.
Thank you for the great suggestion!
So proud of you❤
Hey Stephen…how long did clozapine takes to work?do u have to find the right dose for it to start working?
It took me a few years for Clozapine to work, but it eventually did. Have a happy and healthy rest of your day!
@@SurvivingSchizophrenia we are taking how many years???
What are the use of clozapine?????? Please tell me stephen brother
Clozapine is used for treatment resistant schizophrenia
Dear Stephen and Steve,
Another well done video! I remember when Stephen was a bit resistant to working out years ago. He knew he needed to for many reasons! Occasionally, Stephen you would turn on the the video game “Nintendo Wii” and dance! You are a good dancer!
Walking is incredibly healthy! Neuroscientists report that observing moments of “Awe” as you walk in nature create amazingly healthy responses in the brain and the total body!
As always, so proud of you Stephen! Love seeing you and your dad on the RUclips!
Ms. Gayla ❤😊
Stephen, do you have siblings? If so, do they look as much like your dad as you do?