How Physical Activity Combats Mental Health Issues with Children
Posted: February 16, 2019
Everywhere you go these days, you will hear a lot these days about how physical activity is good for your children. It keeps them fit and healthy and can help in preventing diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. But what is less often discussed, though no less important, is the connection between physical activity and mental health in children.
And this isn’t just wishful guessing either. There’s a lot of empirical evidence to back this up. Many recent medical studies have found strong positive links between physical activity and a variety of mental functions, such as more positive self-esteem and self-perception, sharper cognitive functions, and even positive effects on behavioral disorders like ADHD. It has also been linked to alleviating mental health issues in children, such as depression and anxiety.
In honor of mental health month, we’re going to explore some of the key ways in which physical activity combats mental health issues with children and increases your child’s cognitive awareness. We’ll split these advantages into several broad themes: