'Green' exercise quickly 'boosts mental health'

Just five minutes of exercise in a “green space” such as a park can boost mental health, researchers claim.

There is growing evidence that combining activities such as walking or cycling with nature boosts well-being.

In the latest analysis, UK researchers looked at evidence from 1,250 people in 10 studies and found fast improvements in mood and self-esteem.

The study in the Environmental Science and Technology journal suggested the strongest impact was on young people.

The research looked at many different outdoor activities including walking, gardening, cycling, fishing, boating, horse-riding and farming in locations such as a park, garden or nature trail.

The biggest effect was seen within just five minutes.

With longer periods of time exercising in a green environment, the positive effects were clearly apparent but were of a smaller magnitude, the study found.

Looking at men and women of different ages, the researchers found the health changes – physical and mental – were particularly strong in the young and the mentally-ill.

Green and blue

A bigger effect was seen with exercise in an area that also contained water – such as a lake or river.

Study leader Jules Pretty, a researcher at the University of Essex, said those who were generally inactive, or stressed, or with mental illness would probably benefit the most from “green exercise”.

We would like to see all doctors considering exercise as a treatment where appropriate Paul Farmer, Mind

“Employers, for example, could encourage staff in stressful workplaces to take a short walk at lunchtime in the nearest park to improve mental health.”

He also said exercise programmes outdoors could benefit youth offenders.

“A challenge for policy makers is that policy recommendations on physical activity are easily stated but rarely adopted widely.”

Paul Farmer, chief executive of mental health charity Mind, said the research is yet further evidence that even a short period of green exercise can provide a low cost and drug-free therapy to help improve mental wellbeing.

“It’s important that people experiencing depression can be given the option of a range of treatments, and we would like to see all doctors considering exercise as a treatment where appropriate.”

Mind runs a grant scheme for local environmental projects to help people with mental illness get involved in outdoor activities.

Reference Link
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8654350.stm

Courtesy
BBC News

Short film to remove misconception about mental illness among people

It also portrays Anbalayam’s approach of look, touch and heal

One step further:Film director Prabhu Solomon, second from left, releasing the first copy of the short film ‘Azhukku Sattai’ in Tiruchi on Monday.

Tiruchi, India: Anbalayam, the non-government organisation looking after the wandering mentally ill people, went a step further to remove public ignorance about the ailment by getting its short-film titled ‘Alukku Sattai’ (soiled cloth) released here on Monday.

The CD of the 45-minute short film directed by D. Radhakrishnan with a theatre artiste Jayanth in the lead was released at the St. Joseph’s College by Cine Director Prabu Solomon in the presence of the Founder Director of Anbalayam and alumnus T.K.S. Senthil Kumar, the Principal Rev. Fr. Rajarathinam, Psychiatrist Dr. G. Gopalakrishnan of Sowmanasya Hospital.

The first copy of the CD was received by Sasidharan Chinnasamy, an IT professional and social worker based in London.

Incidentally, Mr. Prabu had launched the short film project at the same venue over two years back with an element of novelty. A part of money for the project was generated from the sale of used shirts of students from city colleges, and the rest was mobilised through public contributions.

Cinema being a powerful medium will be able to rectify the public misconceptions about mental retardation and illness, Dr. Gopalakrishnan said, explaining that the mentally ill people possessed normal intelligence but were unable to express themselves due to a combination of factors like fear, loneliness and confusion. It was imperative for the public to know that the ailment is controllable, he said, while emphasising that it was the duty of the Government to look after the mentally ill, he said.

Citing a biblical allusion, the Principal said the short film portrayed Anbalayam’s approach of look, touch and heal. Anbalayam has exemplified its uniqueness by venturing into a task that even commercial filmmakers will hesitate to undertake, Mr. Prabu pointed out.

Professors G. Ravindran and Joseph Irudayaraj and retired Professor N. Arunachalam, who presided over, recalled the dedication with which Mr. Senthil Kumar attended to the needs of the wandering mentally ill during his student days.

Reference Link
http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/09/stories/2010030959850200.htm

Courtesy
The Hindu