Effects healthy lifestyle habits They know a lot about mental health. However, they have never been compared with the results psychological therapy. The first to make this comparison were Australian scientists. In a study recently published and described in an article for Talkshow that there is in fact little difference between the effects of the two types of intervention. Of course, it is important to emphasize that the study was conducted on mild cases of depression. People who are more severely affected need psychological help.
However, it is true that what this study demonstrates is very interesting if we take into account Current shortage of mental health professionals in public health. Although there is something more detailed here, as the volunteers had the support of nutritionists and exercise physiologists to test whether the habit changes were correct. These specialists are also in short supply in public health, so this will also represent a cost for patients who want to improve their mental health.
However, you can try Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, with sufficient willpower, without intermediaries. The results of this study do not invalidate the effectiveness of psychological therapy. In many cases, it is absolutely necessary. But it does show that proper nutrition and giving up a sedentary lifestyle are much more effective than we may imagine.
Healthy Habits vs. Psychological Therapy:fight!
To conduct this study, its authors had to 182 participants he was diagnosed with depressive symptoms such as irritability, a tendency to cry and a decrease in life expectancy. These were mild symptoms and in no case was there any mention of severe depression.
These participants were randomly divided into two groups. The first group was given a routine 8 weeks of habit changeadvised nutritionist and exercise therapy physiologistThese habits included a varied diet with quality fats, plant foods rich in fiber, and reduced levels of free sugars and saturated fats. They also maintained an enjoyable and frequent exercise routine.
On the other hand, those in the second group were subjected to a program of psychological therapy under the guidance of two psychologists. Both followed the psychological trend, citing more scientific evidence: cognitive-behavioral.
But all participants received a basket of gifts. The first group had fruits and vegetables, and the second group had items such as coloring books or stress balls.
To assess how both interventions affected their symptoms, they were given a survey to assess their mental health before and after the interventions. It was observed that depressive symptoms were reduced by 42% in the first group and 37% in the second.
The best combination
The study also compared expenses, which turned out to be very similar, since psychologists, nutritionists and exercise physiologists charge the same fees.
Given the shortage of psychologists, we can opt for other specialists. However, if there is no opportunity to go to a private center, we can always try to change our habits without leaving home. It is not always necessary to go to a psychologist. Sometimes life just gets in the way, and changing our habits can help us fix it. Moreover, even if we go to psychological therapy, these habits can become great addition.
On the other hand, we should not ignore the fact that mental health is also Social problemIt is useless for a person to seek psychological therapy if he works 12 hours a day, making him tired from physical exercise, or if he does not earn enough money to buy healthy food. Therapy is useless if someone is going to repossess his house or must continue to work despite being past retirement age.
Respect for human rights, as well as job stability and economic stability, is the best therapy that exists. If this is covered, we can try to change our habits. But of course, if we see that our mental health continues to suffer, we need psychological help. Psychologists, if they follow the appropriate directions in their therapy, can be the best lifeline that will keep us afloat.
Source: Hiper Textual
