ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This is the third of three articles that APG News and the Commander’s Ready & Resilient Council will share over the course of the month focusing on mental health and strategies to combat stressors.
Team APG’s commitment to remaining “ready and resilient” can be seen throughout the five pillars of Army resiliency: physical, emotional, family, social and spiritual. Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your mental health hygiene, as well as one’s overall well-being.
Consistent physical activity, such as daily physical training performed by Soldiers, has the ability to reduce anxiety, depression and negative mood that an individual may experience on a frequent basis, according to Sean A. Green, APG’s community ready and resilient integrator.
In addition, exercise has been shown to bolster individuals’ self-esteem, self-efficacy, cognitive function and social interaction, Green said. More specifically, aerobic exercises, such as jogging, swimming, cycling, walking, dancing and gardening have proven to significantly improve mental health hygiene in individuals as well.
As we reach the halfway point of 2021, many are beginning to realize the effect of physical fitness on mental health and well-being, according to Paul Kirkpatrick, a health educator at APG’s Army Wellness Center.
The year 2020 was plagued with stressors that have both literally and figuratively weighed heavy on the minds and bodies of many across the world, Kirkpatrick said. The increased stress of lockdowns, health scares, employment, finances, family and school have caused huge challenges to normal health routines.
One of the major factors at play, Kirkpatrick said, was the lack of physical fitness due to the guidelines and protocols implemented for the COVID -19 pandemic. In addition to the responsibility to stay safe, gyms and fitness facilities closed, limiting the options to stay active.
Many people experienced a drastic decrease in physical activity that could potentially lead not only to obesity/weight gain, but also a decline in mental health. This recent experience has provided powerful insight into the importance of the relationship between our physical fitness and mental health, Kirkpatrick said.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that healthy adults ages 18-65 should participate in moderate intensity aerobic physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes five days per week, or vigorous intensity aerobic activity for a minimum of 20 minutes three days per week. The organization also recommends that every adult should perform activities that maintain or increase muscular strength and endurance for a minimum of two days per week.
Physical activity routines should be tailored to the individual person for the best outcome, Kirkpatrick said. After getting clearance from your doctor that regular physical activity is safe, factors to consider are exercise preference, age, experience, fitness level and injury history, he added. It is best to start with a small reasonable goal and build gradually.
At the AWC, staff are responsible for educating Soldiers on matters of health and wellness. Leveraging resources like the Wellness Center can help to provide you with the support needed to manage your body weight and mental health in the best way possible, Kirkpatrick said.
Approaching the Soldier’s health from a holistic standpoint, the AWC provides services and resources that help with healthy eating, exercise, and sleeping habits. All of these healthy focus areas are essential to optimal health and readiness for our Soldier.
If you need any additional support feel free to reach out to the
Army Wellness Center. Call 410-306-1024 to schedule an appointment or for more information.
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