The Effect of Healthy Lifestyle Choices on Mental Health
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
12-4-2022 10:00 AM
End Date
12-4-2022 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Human Performance
Student's College
Allied Health and Nursing
Mentor's Name
Corey Selland
Mentor's Department
Human Performance
Mentor's College
Allied Health and Nursing
Description
The purpose of this project is to evaluate the impact physical activity, nutrition, and sleep have on markers of mental health. Physically active individuals have lower health risks of developing illnesses like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, chronic depression, chronic stress, and feelings of anxiety (CDC, 2020). Of the many reported benefits physical activity contributes, people are largely physically inactive as evidenced by 39% of adults being completely sedentary (Geller et al., 2012). The impact sleep plays on mental health issues has recently received enhanced interest. Short sleep duration, late bedtime, or irregular sleep schedule is associated with poor mental health including depression, and anxiety (Matamura, 2014). Approximately 50% of insomnia cases are related to depression, anxiety or psychological stress (NAMI, 2021). Often sleep patterns and other symptoms can be helpful in determining mental illnesses. Not only does poor physical activity and suboptimal sleep play an important role in mental health but proper nutrition also plays a significant role. The brain is always functioning and controls thoughts, movements, heartbeat, and breathing, even during sleep. Since the brain never gets a break to relax it needs a constant supply of fuel. Nutrition fuels the brain by the foods you eat, what you eat directly affects the structure and function of your brain and your mood. Studies have shown that individuals who consume diets high in refined sugars have impaired brain function and worsening symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological stress (Selhub, 2020). We hypothesize that participants that report higher levels of physical activity, good nutrition, and better sleep will report more favorable mental health outcomes.
The Effect of Healthy Lifestyle Choices on Mental Health
CSU Ballroom
The purpose of this project is to evaluate the impact physical activity, nutrition, and sleep have on markers of mental health. Physically active individuals have lower health risks of developing illnesses like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, chronic depression, chronic stress, and feelings of anxiety (CDC, 2020). Of the many reported benefits physical activity contributes, people are largely physically inactive as evidenced by 39% of adults being completely sedentary (Geller et al., 2012). The impact sleep plays on mental health issues has recently received enhanced interest. Short sleep duration, late bedtime, or irregular sleep schedule is associated with poor mental health including depression, and anxiety (Matamura, 2014). Approximately 50% of insomnia cases are related to depression, anxiety or psychological stress (NAMI, 2021). Often sleep patterns and other symptoms can be helpful in determining mental illnesses. Not only does poor physical activity and suboptimal sleep play an important role in mental health but proper nutrition also plays a significant role. The brain is always functioning and controls thoughts, movements, heartbeat, and breathing, even during sleep. Since the brain never gets a break to relax it needs a constant supply of fuel. Nutrition fuels the brain by the foods you eat, what you eat directly affects the structure and function of your brain and your mood. Studies have shown that individuals who consume diets high in refined sugars have impaired brain function and worsening symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological stress (Selhub, 2020). We hypothesize that participants that report higher levels of physical activity, good nutrition, and better sleep will report more favorable mental health outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Goodman, Emily and Ashley Frick. "The Effect of Healthy Lifestyle Choices on Mental Health." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 12, 2022.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2022/poster-session-01/3
