Question

Read “Applying Psychology to Everyday Life: Mental and Physical Exercises Combine for Better Cognitive Health”

Should doctors suggest aerobic exercise for their patients interested in maintaining or improving their cognitive functions? What about psychologists working with individuals who have mood or anxiety disorders, or clients with attention problems?

Answer 1

Effect of regular excercise on better mental health has been reported positively by many of the research articles . Homeostasis has profound effect on the appropriate functioning of brain and in turn on its cognitive functioning. Aerobic exercise has been found to regulate blood and oxygen supply in the body . So combining aerobic exercise with appropriate mental activities to sharpen cognitive functions is a good proposition given that the patient does not have any other medical conditions not conducive to aerobic exercise. Coming to intervention in mood disorders, again adequate level of physical activity has found to improve mood. In depressed mood it is even necessary to bring up the activity level of the client and hence aerobic exercise is advisable. But in case of a manic patient who already has a high level of activity, intervention should be aimed at bringing it down to the normal level. And in anxiety disorders too, lowering the autonomic arousal level to the normal should be the aim of the intervention hence meditative techniques or breathing techniques would be more advisable . In all these cases appropriate psychotherapy to correct the faulty schemas and maladaptive behaviors which maintains the disorder is necessary in addition to any suggestion of activity scheduling. In case of clients with attention problems, physical exercise as an addendum to cognitive exercise is advisable.