In recent years, the intersection between mental health and physical activity has emerged as a pivotal area of focus in the field of counseling and psychotherapy. Mental health counselors, equipped with a deep understanding of human behavior and the intricate interplay between mind and body, are increasingly recognizing the profound impact of exercise on psychological wellbeing.
As advocates for holistic wellness, mental health counselors play a vital role in promoting exercise as a cornerstone of self-care and resilience-building by extolling the benefits of physical activity, incorporating it into their sessions and collaborating with fitness professionals.
Education on the benefits of exercise for mental health
Mental health counselors educate their patients on the benefits of physical activity by discussing how exercise works with the brain to regulate the levels of certain hormones that control mood and happiness.
Biological connections
Counselors can provide patients with examples and resources to show the connection between exercise and the release of mood-boosting hormones such as serotonin. By engaging in regular physical activity, patients can boost their mood naturally and feel relief from hormones such as cortisol, which is released when the body is feeling stress. By understanding the connection between the mind and body, and how exercise improves this connection, patients can collaborate with their mental health counselors and make informed decisions on their care.
Promoting healthy sleep
Another area on which mental health counselors can educate their patients is the link between physical activity and better sleep. Irregular sleep patterns can have a profound effect on mental health, and exercise has been proven to help increase the levels of the hormones that affect sleep. Research has shown that exercise can help with the release of adenosine, the natural chemical in the brain that makes an individual feel sleepy and helps with insomnia.
By exercising and then getting a good night’s sleep, patients can improve their moods and increase their energy throughout the day, which can lead to higher self-esteem and feelings of wellbeing. Mental health counselors can also use complementary treatments with exercise regimens such as therapy and medication so that patients can experience enhanced outcomes and improved symptoms.
Strengthening cognitive function
Exercise has also been shown to enhance cognitive function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline that can exacerbate mental health challenges. Disorders such as depression and anxiety can have a profound effect on an individual’s ability to think clearly and positively, so understanding the connection between physical activity and enhanced cognition can motivate a patient to incorporate exercise into their daily routine. By engaging in regular physical activity, a patient can boost their self-esteem and confidence, which in turn encourages a more positive body image and sense of self-worth.
Incorporating physical activity into sessions
Mental health counselors can integrate physical activity into sessions through various methods such as walking therapy, outdoor sessions or incorporating simple exercises throughout the therapy. This approach helps in promoting the benefits of exercise on mental health, as the patient can experience it immediately in a comfortable and open environment. It also provides opportunities for movement, fresh air and connection with nature while engaging in meaningful conversations.
Other ways that a counselor can include physical activity in sessions is by introducing small and simple movements such as stretching, yoga, deep breathing and mindful movement practices. These simple activities promote relaxation and stress reduction, while giving the patient an opportunity to become aware of what their body is doing during times of stress. By emphasizing awareness of body sensations, breath and movement, counselors can cultivate skills to help reduce their stress and regulate their emotions.
Counselors also teach patients how to work on these new skills away from the session. This can include developing personalized physical activity plans and setting realistic goals for incorporating exercise into daily routines. By collaboratively identifying preferred activities, setting achievable goals, and addressing barriers to exercise, counselors can help clients build motivation and confidence to engage in regular physical activity.
A large part of collaboration is monitoring progress and discussing the challenges that may occur in between sessions so that the patients can learn from their experiences and develop new ways of coping with daily challenges. By regularly reviewing goals, tracking exercise participation, and discussing barriers and successes, counselors can help clients stay motivated and accountable for their physical activity goals.
Assessing individual preferences and abilities
It is important for mental health counselors to assess their patients’ preferences and abilities related to physical activity before implementing any kind of exercise plan. By understanding the patient’s past experiences with exercise, their current physical health, and any limitations or preferences they may have, mental health counselors can make sure that the physical activity in their treatments is appropriate and reasonable. Collaboratively setting realistic and attainable exercise goals is essential to setting the patient up for success and increases the likelihood of treatment adherence and effectiveness.
Another reason to assess individual preferences and abilities is recognizing that patients may have diverse cultural backgrounds and belief systems. What works for one person may not work for another due to cultural, social, or personal factors, and recognizing and respecting these differences is essential for providing culturally competent care. Assessing a patient’s abilities also helps counselors identify potential barriers to treatment progress and leverage the individual’s strengths and resources to overcome challenges. Assessments also help counselors identify any risks or limitations that may impact their patient’s ability to participate fully in treatment, including physical health concerns, cognitive impairments or environmental factors.
Emphasizing consistency over intensity
By emphasizing consistency, mental health counselors help patients to develop habits that they can maintain as part of their daily routine, leading to lasting benefits for their mental health. Consistent physical activity is more sustainable over the long term compared to high-intensity workouts, which may lead to burnout or injury and prove to be more of a detriment to the patient’s mental health. When an exercise regimen is too intense or difficult, it can lead to some individuals feeling overwhelmed or intimidated, especially those who are just beginning to incorporate physical activity into their lifestyle.
Consistent physical activity, even at a moderate intensity, can still provide significant stress reduction and mood-enhancing benefits, which leads to a sense of accomplishment and wellbeing, regardless of the intensity level. A consistent routine of exercise also helps shift the patient’s focus from short-term results to long-term behavior change and habit formation, which leads to permanent lifestyle changes and better mental health. It also allows for greater flexibility and adaptability in the types and duration of physical activity that patients can engage in, so they are encouraged to find activities that they enjoy and that fit their individual preferences.
Promoting a consistent schedule of physical activity for patients with mental health challenges is one of the responsibilities of mental health counselors in developing coping mechanisms that are sustainable and lasting. By emphasizing consistency, counselors can encourage patients to practice lifestyle modifications that they can follow throughout their lives. This approach is one that individuals can learn at an accredited school such as American International College, where education in mental health counseling, such as their MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, is attainable and flexible through virtual learning. Online schools such as this provide the knowledge needed to pursue a successful career in crisis prevention and counseling theories in this dynamic and challenging profession.
Addressing barriers and resistant attitudes
Mental health counselors must identify and address barriers that may hinder patients from engaging in regular exercise and collaborate on strategies to overcome these obstacles. Patients may have legitimate barriers that prevent them from engaging in regular physical activity, such as time constraints, financial limitations, or physical health concerns.
By addressing these barriers, counselors help patients overcome obstacles to treatment engagement and increase their likelihood of success in adopting healthier lifestyle habits. In some cases, resistance is not related to a physical barrier, but rather negative thought patterns or misconceptions about physical activity, so counselors can engage their patients in strategies to overcome these mental obstacles.
Exploring barriers and resistance toward exercise encourages patients to reflect on their thoughts, feelings and behaviors related to physical activity, and promotes self-awareness and insight into the factors that may be contributing to their reluctance. This approach to self-reflection helps the patient explore these feelings of ambivalence toward exercise, paving the way for meaningful change and growth, leading to increased self-esteem and wellbeing.
By addressing these barriers, patients can also identify potential solutions and develop coping strategies to overcome challenges, which leads to motivation and confidence in their ability to initiate and sustain positive health behaviors. This fosters a sense of ownership, empowering patients to make informed choices and take positive steps toward achieving their goals. By proactively addressing potential obstacles and developing strategies to cope with challenges, patients are better equipped to maintain their motivation and commitment to long-term behavior change.
Collaborating with fitness professionals
It is important for mental health counselors to collaborate with fitness professionals when creating an exercise plan for patients because they possess unique knowledge and education. A fitness professional can contribute expertise to ensure that exercise plans are tailored to the individual’s needs, abilities and goals, while considering factors such as fitness level, health status, and any physical limitations or injuries.
These exercise specialists can conduct assessments to evaluate the patient’s current physical health and identify any potential risk factors or contraindications for exercise. By collaborating with these experts, counselors can ensure that exercise plans are safe, appropriate, and effective in addressing the patient’s specific needs and concerns.
Fitness professionals are educated in designing individualized exercise programs that are tailored to the patient’s preferences, interests, and lifestyle factors. This increases the likelihood of adherence and success in achieving the patient’s fitness and wellness goals. They can also provide guidance, support, and encouragement to help patients stay motivated and accountable for their exercise regimen, through regular check-ins, progress monitoring and feedback sessions.
By collaborating with both the fitness specialist and the mental health counselor, patients can get the help they need to overcome barriers, stay on track with their goals, and maintain momentum in their fitness journey. This allows for seamless coordination and integration of care between mental health counseling and physical fitness services to address the patient’s holistic wellbeing and provide comprehensive support for their mental, emotional and physical health needs.
Education is an important part of this collaboration. Fitness professionals can educate patients about the benefits of exercise for mental health, stress management and overall wellbeing by providing information, resources and practical guidance. The partnership between patients, fitness specialists and mental health counselors promotes a holistic approach to health and wellness that emphasizes long-term sustainability and lifestyle change. By addressing the psychological, emotional and physical dimensions of health, patients are better equipped to maintain their progress and thrive in all aspects of their lives.
The importance of promoting physical activity in mental health counseling
Mental health counselors bear a significant responsibility for promoting exercise to their patients as part of a comprehensive approach to holistic wellbeing. Recognizing the intricate connection between physical activity and mental health, counselors play a pivotal role in educating, motivating and empowering patients to incorporate regular exercise into their self-care routines.
By addressing barriers, resistance and individual preferences, counselors can help patients overcome obstacles and cultivate sustainable habits that contribute to improved mood, stress management and overall quality of life. Collaboration with fitness professionals ensures that exercise plans are safe, effective and tailored to the patient’s unique needs and goals.
Through compassionate support, guidance and advocacy, mental health counselors empower patients to prioritize their physical and emotional health, fostering resilience, empowerment and enhanced wellbeing.
