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New 2022 Move Your Mental Health™ Report from JWB

The John W. Brick Foundation has released the brand new 2022 Move Your Mental Health™ Report on August 30th, 2022! 

It’s not surprising that exercise elevates our mood – nearly everyone has experienced that for themselves, yes?

What may be surprising is that over three decades of research show that exercise/physical activity should be prescribed for depression and anxiety, and helps with a number of other mental health challenges. 

The evidence is clear: routinely moving our bodies is a key element in the ecosystem of factors that help us to build our mental and emotional well-being.

Have you ever wondered about how cycling impacts your mental well-being? Or the mental benefits of running or jogging? Move Your Mental Health™ Report is available now! Whether pumping iron, owning the treadmill, strengthening the core with yoga or tai chi, or less rigorous activities such as walking or household chores, motion is indisputably associated with mental health benefits.

Regarding the MYMH report, health and wellness pioneer Depak Chopra says, “This synthesis of the evidence by the John W. Brick Foundation makes it clear that exercise and movement practices are key to mental health, and paves the way for physical activity to be recognized and integrated as a key component of mental health promotion and treatment.”

The new Move Your Mental Health™ Report provides an in-depth synthesis of the research detailing how exercise helps our brain function and mental health. The report includes articles and graphs, along with an online interactive tool, to find out which types of exercise influence specific kinds of mental health outcomes. From aquatic exercise to dance to high-intensity interval training to walking, the report includes sections on over 20 types of exercise. Among the conclusions:

89% of all published peer-reviewed research between 1990 and 2022 found a positive, statistically significant relationship between exercise/physical activity and mental health.
Overall, three to five 30-45-minute moderate to vigorous exercise sessions per week appear to deliver optimal mental health benefits.
Combining or alternating strength/resistance training with cardiovascular/aerobic exercise shows stronger benefits on mental health outcomes than either one alone.
Team sports, cycling, and aerobic or gym exercise are the top three forms of exercise associated with over 20% fewer “poor mental health” days per month.
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Primary author, clinical psychologist, and Executive Director of the JWB Foundation Cassandra Vieten says, “Routinely moving our bodies is a key element in the ecosystem of factors that help us to build our mental and emotional well-being. The new mental health care needs to recognize that a more holistic approach is not only necessary, but will be cost-saving and life-saving.” 

Fitness pioneer and JWB founder Victor Brick adds, “Evidence shows that these approaches – exercise, nutrition, mind-body practices – should be integrated immediately into treating mental illness and promoting mental well-being.”

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This might be the most comprehensive online event ever on mental health and well-being, and everyone is invited to attend free of charge.