Commando News Australia Edition 14 2018

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Adding exercise into routine mental health care
Exercise physiologists are using research to add exercise into mental health treatment
to help patients during their admission and beyond.
Exercise Physiologist Kirrily Gould, who works at St John of
God Richmond hospital, said her own research and external research
had shown positive results when exercise was used in the
treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), drug and alcohol
addiction, anxiety and depression.
“Our research is adding to a body of work worldwide showing
that exercise can be a form of medicine,” Kirrily said. “We
are providing lifestyle interventions here looking at people’s daily
activities and trying to incorporate exercise as medicine for the
treatment of their mental illnesses.” All patients at the hospital
have access to the gym and other facilities, on top of treatment
and care provided by exercise physiologists.
Patient Michael, who after a career as a police officer developed
PTSD and depression, said exercise had been a key part of
his recovery. “It’s changed my life a lot. It has given me my confidence
back again which I had lost, I could sleep better and my
moods are better,” he said. “With Kirrily, I set my goals and she
helped me get back into a routine – which I think is the main
thing.”
Tips for Starting:
1. Start at your own level
Set small goals and build your way up to 30 minutes of exercise
per day. If you already have a set exercise
regime, try something new like meditation.
Guided meditations can improve relaxation and
concentration.
2. Find a time in the day that suits you
Even on a rainy day, there is plenty you can do inside – like
yoga or meditation. One study found that even a single session
of mindful exercise can improve mood and reduce stress.
3. Choose activities that you enjoy
Exercise doesn't have to mean going to the gym, whether
you like bush walking, swimming, Pilates or walking the dog,
even 10 minutes of physical exercise daily is proven to have
a positive impact on both your mental and physical health.
4. Remember to reward yourself for incremental changes
It won’t all happen overnight, just make sure to take the first
step to a better frame of mind. When you reach a milestone
tell someone who you know will be able to celebrate it with
you.
5. Give yourself a break
If you miss one session, one day or one week, don't be too
hard on yourself. You can pick back up where you left off and
refocus on the goals that you have set for yourself.
6. Take your friends or workmates along for the ride
If you are living with a mental illness, it can be difficult at times
to socialise, however, asking a friend to join you in physical
activity is a great way to stay motivated. It gives you
the chance to share an experience with someone
while keeping your plans accountable to one another.