Physical activity, exercise, and mental health

Abstract

Healthy and unhealthy behaviors are linked in every person to affect overall physical and mental health. Healthy lifestyles, currently defined as including physical activity, good diet, no smoking, moderation of alcohol use, and safe sexual practices, could also include stress management, spiritual practices, and social connection, to name a few. To date, minimal research has looked at complex healthy and unhealthy behaviors and their combined influence on health. The acknowledged importance of physical activity and exercise for general good health and well-being makes this an important area of continuing research, with the goal of improving the quality of life of all individuals affected by mental illness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)