Therapeutic Effect of Exercise on Mental Health

Year 2025, Volume: 17 Issue: 3, 429 - 444

Sinem Parlakyıldız

Abstract

Mental health is an integral part of well-being and a fundamental human right. It is known that a substantial number of people worldwide struggle with mental illness, and a large proportion of these individuals live in low- and middle-income countries. Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental health problems. Considering the positive effects of exercise on neurobiological mechanisms, it can be considered as an alternative or complementary therapy in the treatment of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Exercise also increases neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, improves cognitive function, and protects brain health, reducing the risk of various neurological diseases. By regulating levels of neurochemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, exercise positively affects mood and can lead to favorable emotional and behavioral changes. The use of exercise as a nonpharmacological treatment option has important advantages such as ease of access, low cost, and low risk of adverse effects. In conclusion, exercise is a safe, accessible, and inexpensive nonpharmacological therapeutic option that provides neurobiological benefits and can play a crucial role in mental health treatment and promotion. Integrating exercise into clinical practice is important to improve treatment success and patient outcomes.

Keywords

Anxiety, depression, exercise, stress

Egzersizin Ruh Sağlığı Üzerindeki Terapötik Etkisi

Abstract

Ruh sağlığı, refahın ayrılmaz bir parçası ve temel bir insan hakkıdır. Dünya genelinde çok sayıda insanın ruhsal bozukluklarla mücadele ettiği ve bu bireylerin büyük bir kısmının düşük ve orta gelirli ülkelerde yaşadığı bilinmektedir. Sık görülen ruhsal bozukluklar arasında depresyon ve anksiyete yer almaktadır. Egzersizin, nörobiyolojik mekanizmalar üzerindeki olumlu etkileri göz önüne alındığında, depresyon ve anksiyete gibi ruhsal bozuklukların tedavisinde alternatif veya tamamlayıcı bir terapi yöntemi olarak değerlendirilebileceği söylenebilir. Ayrıca egzersiz, çeşitli nörolojik hastalıkların riskini azaltıp beyin sağlığını koruyarak nörogenez ve nöroplastisiteyi artırmakta ve bilişsel işlevleri iyileştirmektedir. Dopamin, serotonin ve norepinefrin gibi nörokimyasalların seviyelerini düzenleyerek ruh halini olumlu yönde etkileyen egzersizin olumlu duygusal ve davranışsal değişikliklere yol açan etkileri de bulunmaktadır. Egzersizin farmakolojik olmayan bir tedavi seçeneği olarak kullanılması, tedaviye erişimin kolay ve maliyetinin düşük olmasının yanı sıra yan etki riskinin az olması gibi önemli avantajlar sunmaktadır. Sonuç olarak, egzersizin mental sağlık sorunlarının tedavisinde, nörobiyolojik faydalar sağlamasının yanı sıra düşük maliyetli, erişilebilir ve yan etkisi az olan farmakolojik olmayan bir tedavi seçeneği olarak önemli bir rol oynayabileceği görülmektedir. Bu nedenle, egzersizin klinik uygulamalara entegre edilmesinin önemli bir rol oynayacağı söylenebilir.

Keywords

Anksiyete, depresyon, egzersiz, stres

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