The Powerful Role of the Body in Mental Health:
Being Physically Active “Nor soul helps flesh more now, than flesh helps soul.” ROBERT BROWNING
God designed us so that we grow and come alive as integrated beings - mind, body, and spirit. The ancient understanding of education included the formation of the whole person. The physical was not considered in isolation, nor the mind. It turns out that all learning and growth is much less divisible than we might have imagined. As we engage the body in vigorous activity or even gentle movement, our mind, our emotions, and our spirit are more alert, more agile, and more well-off. The doctor-writer, Luke, took time to note that Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature, a demonstration of the integrity - and importance - of the whole person in healthful growth. An abundance of recent research confirms these convictions. Every time you exercise, the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and epinephrine are released, providing an immediate boost in focus, energy, and mood lift and a simultaneous calming effect as amygdala activity decreases.1 Over time, regular exercise contributes to neurogenesis in the hippocampus and more gray matter. 2 It boosts your immune system and reduces inflammation processes associated with numerous diseases.3 Even small amounts of regular physical activity have astounding benefits. Modest exercise increases creativity4, long-term memory5, and executive function6. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and distress diminish with increased activity across a wide range of populations, including people with diagnosed mental health disorders7. The Lancet Psychiatry found an enduring dose-effect of physical activity that each additional hour of light activity at 12 years old reduces depression symptoms by 10% at 18 years old.8 Over time, even small amounts of regular physical exercise can measurably alter one’s personality to become more agreeable, conscientious, and open to new experiences.9