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Exercise Is Good For the Body - And the Mind
by Pat Melgares
Many already know at least some of the physical benefits of exercise.
People exercise to lower their blood pressure; lower their cholesterol; and reduce the
risk of Type II diabetes, some forms of cancer and cardiovascular disease, in addition
to other reasons.
"Most people know that if you're active, it's going to be good for your heart and lungs,
and it's going to prevent diseases associated with your heart and lungs," says Paul Estabrooks,
the physical activity specialist with the Office of Community Health at Kansas State University.
What many don't realize, he adds, is that exercise also provides psychological benefits.
"People who have exercised during a stressful time in their life will tell you that it makes them
feel better," Estabrooks said. "And there are people who say they are tired in the afternoon, but
then they go work out and they are invigorated."
The mechanism in the body that triggers this may not be well known, but there is mounting research
that indicates exercise can help people through periods of anxiety and even depression.
An example is state anxiety, or the uneasiness people feel related to a specific situation, such as
a student worrying about an upcoming exam.
"Physical activity can reduce that anxiety and make us more alert during the situation," Estabrooks said.
"And most of the time, we deal with the actual situation better than we would have otherwise.
"The thing that is not as clear about physical activity and anxiety is the dose-response. In other
words, 'how much exercise do I need to reduce my anxiety by a certain amount.'"
The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 30 minutes of moderate exercise,
at least five days a week, to gain the full health benefits of exercise. Estabrooks says that's plenty
to help control moments of anxiety.
"So just getting out and doing a brisk walk can actually reduce anxiety," he said. "And, sustained over
time, if you can maintain an exercise program at the recommended levels of physical activity, you'll
probably have better control of anxiety in your life."
Estabrooks said that physical activity may also play a positive role in helping people suffering from
clinical depression, a diagnosed medical condition in which those affected feel helpless, lack motivation
and generally feel out of control. It's not likely that exercise alone can successfully treat the
disease - professional counseling and medication usually are needed.
"But," Estabrooks notes, "if you add physical activity to the more traditional treatments of clinical
depression, you'll get a better response than traditional treatments on their own."
Estabrooks adds that physical activity alone can be successful as the only treatment for people with
sub-clinical depression. He said there's also evidence that the success of chemotherapy - commonly used
to fight cancer - is improved for patients who have exercised regularly.
For more information on health and nutrition, interested persons may contact their local K-State Research
and Extension office.
K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station
and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the
well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension
offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is
on the K-State campus, Manhattan.
Source: Pat Melgares, News Coordinator
pmelgare@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research and Extension
For more information: Paul Estabrooks is at 785-532-3365
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