EXERCISE, NUTRITION AND MENTAL HEALTH

“Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional and mental
states.’’
Carol Welch

We all have heard about the importance of fitness for wellness since our childhood. But we
often neglect the two other elements of wellness which are just as important as exercise.These
are mental health maintenance and nutrition. Exercise and nutrition plays a critical role in
mental health especially when considering mental health issues and substance abuse
disorders.Several data have found an association between nutrition, physical fitness and mental
health supporting the potential role of using nutrients and physical activity as agents for prevention,
treatment, or augmentation of treatment for mental disorders in children, adolescents, and adults.

Today with industrial revolution 4.0 the digital media has taken over a considerable effect on
our lives. From long working hours to connecting with each other, the physical presence of
people around has lost its essence and we are deeply engaged in virtual world making it our
reality. This has turned our lifestyle sedentary, which is now a major cause for many health
issues including the mental health. The recent Covid-19 pandemic has further increased the
need for digital connectivity but on the dark side it has also exacerbated the health issues
caused due to social isolation. Studies have found people searching for new ways to combat
rising depression, anxiety, and to cope with feelings of uncertainty, grief, and loss. We find
numerous blogs and videos regarding different dietary habits, food reviews, nutrition, exercises,
yoga, meditation etc. These in some way or the other are inculcated in us but mostly in unhealthy
manner.

Many international organizations like Food and Agriculture Organization have highlighted the
problem of hidden hunger across the world.In developing countries, the crisis is multifaceted.
Developing countries are moving from traditional diets based on minimally processed foods to highly
processed, energy-dense, micro nutrient-poor foods and drinks, which lead to obesity and
diet-related chronic diseases. With this nutrition transition, many developing countries face a
phenomenon known as the “triple burden” of malnutrition — undernourishment, micro nutrient
deficiencies, and obesity (Pinstripe-Andersen 2007).

The report aims to explore how integrating therapeutic lifestyle changes including exercise and
nutrition, could have a positive effect on improving psychological, social and mental well being.

Objectives
 How healthy lifestyle practices surrounding a nutritious diet and physical activity have been
challenged over the past few decades.

 Relationship between lifestyle, physical health and mental health.

 To evaluate the positive and negative aspects of exercise and healthy eating and the role of
technological advancements influencing them.
 How we can integrate a therapeutic lifestyle change of improved diet and increased physical
activity into the counseling process.

The theoretical aspect of the research is built around the research about eating habits, lifestyle and
its impact on the people of different age groups.The result of the literature show engagement in
physical activity is recognized as a contributor to a range of positive outcomes in physical and
mental health, social well-being and cognitive and academic performances. The literature identifies
the fact that people who exercise and eat healthy food have a higher chance of living a healthy
lifestyle and less risk of getting diseases like type 2 diabetes, depression, cardiovascular diseases
which are associated with lack of physical activity and choice of lifestyle.