APA President Discusses Role of Sports and Exercise in Mental Health

At a time when mental health awareness is more important than ever, there is a growing awareness of the important role of sport and exercise in promoting good health. Dr. Ramaswamy Viswanathan, MD, Dr.Med.Sc., current president of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), sits down with me to share his insights on the intersection of mental health, sports, and health. mind.

Dr. Viswanathan is passionate about highlighting the six pillars of mental health during his tenure as APA president. These six pillars include good nutrition, exercise, restorative sleep, stress management, social relationships and avoiding harmful substances. He explains: “Exercise is important for mental and physical health. “Research, including neuroimaging and biochemical studies, has shown that exercise increases hippocampal volume and promotes neurosynaptic activity, which is associated with improved cognitive and cognitive measures.”

There can be positives and negatives when participating in sports at a professional level. He emphasizes that although participating in sports can make exercise fun and sustainable, it can also make a person worry about the way they look and play well. Dr. “Sports involvement increases adherence to physical activity patterns, and the social aspects of team sports contribute to mental and physical health, including longevity,” says Viswanathan. says Dr. Viswanathan.

One of the things Dr. What Viswanathan has put forward is to deal with the stigma surrounding mental health, including in sports. He notes that many elite athletes have spoken openly about their mental health issues, which has helped to normalize these concerns. “Mental health problems are common, like diabetes or high blood pressure. The right treatment enables people to achieve high levels in sports, work and social relations. Public education and athletes’ openness about their experiences can significantly reduce stigma. ”

Exercise as a Cure for Mental Illness

Dr. Viswanathan advocates incorporating exercise into mental health plans. Dr. “Studies have shown that exercise can be as effective as SSRIs in treating depression and anxiety,” says Viswanathan. more than people realize, so I would advocate that people with any mental health problem without regular treatment, be prescribed exercise and exercise,” he continues.

He notes that team sports, with their recreational and social aspects, can provide additional benefits. Dr. Viswanathan says: “The connection and joy that comes from sports can enhance their positive effect on mental health. He envisions a future where the role of exercise and sports in mental health care is widely recognized, along with other pillars of mental health. He looks forward to championing this during his tenure as APA President.

Prioritizing Mental Health in Sports Settings

In matters of professional and recreational sports, Dr. Viswanathan agrees that prioritizing mental health is important. “Mental health greatly affects physical performance.” He also acknowledges that while participating in sports can have a positive impact on mental health, it can also lead to other problems, requiring mental health interventions to help athletes cope better. .

He also emphasizes the importance of dealing with mental preparation to return to play after a physical injury. “Injuries are not only physical but also psychological and addressing both factors is important for recovery. Sports psychiatry plays an important role here, as trained sports psychologists are understand the complexity involved,” says Dr. Viswanathan. He wisely notes that if an athlete returns too soon, it can hurt them, so a balanced approach is important when getting them back on their game.

A Vision for the Future

APA aims to promote the integration of mental health care and lifestyle and sports conditions. “Many people focus too much on medication, but a balanced approach is important – while exercise is an important part of mental health, nutrition, sleep, avoiding smoking, and managing stress is equally important, as all these factors enhance sports performance and mental health,” says Dr. Viswanathan.

APA President, Dr. Viswanathan, sees that sports psychology can become a recognized institution in psychiatry. “Due to the spread of sports, there is a need for experts who have expertise in these intellectual matters and benefits in that environment,” said Dr. Viswanathan. His vision of integrating sports and exercise in mental health care is consistent with his broad platform of mental health. As the APA continues to promote these principles, the future looks promising for the intersection of sports, exercise, and mental health.