Physical activity and women’s mental health

Abstract

Women are twice as likely as men to develop certain mental health conditions such as depression, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders. A multimodal care, including psychotherapies as adjuncts to antipsychotic medications, is acknowledged to be crucial in teaching individual strategies and providing patients with tools to deal with these illnesses. In this scenario, physical activity has become increasingly relevant to promote physical and mental health in women with mental illness. However, it appears that women have unique experiences, risks, and needs that must be taken into account for the treatment strategies. For this reason, the provision of rehabilitation for women with mental illness has been challenging for the mental health systems reform. This underlines the importance of understanding the modern scientific and nonscientific literature about the link between physical activity and mental health in women. This chapter will present research on the relationship between physical activity and mental illness, trying to list female particularities and the advantages of exercise for their health.