{"id":3057,"date":"2022-02-07T08:10:41","date_gmt":"2022-02-07T07:10:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/?page_id=3057"},"modified":"2025-12-18T15:13:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T14:13:54","slug":"why-should-people-living-with-schizophrenia-exercise","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/why-should-people-living-with-schizophrenia-exercise\/","title":{"rendered":"Why should people living with schizophrenia exercise?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-inpage-nav-rea-inpage-nav-block rea-inpage-nav-block front has-margin\"><div class=\"rea-inpage-nav-block__image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/wooden.png)\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"inpage-nav-background\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/wooden.png\"><\/div><div class=\"rea-inpage-nav-block__content\"><div class=\"rea-inpage-nav-block__content--wrapper\"><div class=\"text-wrapper\"><h2 class=\"inpage-nav-title\">Why should people living with schizophrenia exercise?<\/h2><ul class=\"inpage-nav-list\"><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"section-nav\"><h4 class=\"section-nav--title\">In this section<\/h4><div class=\"section-nav--nav-items js-inpage-nav-items\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-illustration-rea-illustration-block rea-illustration-block front\"><img class=\"illustration-bg\" alt=\"\"><div class=\"rea-illustration-block__content\"><div class=\"rea-illustration-block__image image-wrapper\"><a href=\"\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"is-blocked\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"illustration left\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/SchizophreniaLife_Public_Article_4_Exercise_immagine-scaled.jpg\" style=\"max-width: 72%\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"rea-mobile illustration-mobile\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/SchizophreniaLife_Public_Article_4_Exercise_immagine-scaled.jpg\"><\/a><\/div><p class=\"rea-site__caption caption-text align-left\"><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">Keeping physically active is important for both physical and mental health.<sup>1,2<\/sup> This article looks how people with schizophrenia view exercise, their exercise habits and the barriers that may prevent them from being more active. The many positive benefits of exercise will also be discussed together with a few tips on how to be more active.\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-separator-rea-separator-block rea-separator-block front\"><div class=\"rea-separator-block__content\"><hr class=\"rea-separator-block__separator\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongexercise-and-schizophreniastrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong>Exercise and schizophrenia<\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">Compared to the general population, people with schizophrenia tend to lead unhealthier lifestyles which includes being less physically active.<sup>3-7<\/sup>\u00a0Sedentary behaviours (like sitting down and watching television) are also more common.<sup>3,6\u00a0<\/sup>This is important because there is a strong link between physical inactivity, obesity and heart disease.<sup>3,6,7\u00a0<\/sup>And, as people with schizophrenia already have a higher risk of developing heart disease than those without, being physically inactive can add to this risk.<sup>3,6,7<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>There may be multiple reasons why people with schizophrenia may not be that inclined to exercise.<sup>7<\/sup> It could be because they don\u2019t feel mentally well enough because of their symptoms or treatment, feeling too tired to exercise, or just lack the motivation.<sup>7<\/sup> There may also be misconceptions about the value of exercise or negative voices telling them not to exercise.<sup>7<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>That said, research into what motivates people to exercise has shown that the majority see exercise as a way to improve health.<sup>5,8<\/sup> Many also see it as a means to lose weight, improve body image, lighten mood and reduce stress.<sup>5,8\u00a0<\/sup>With the right support and encouragement this suggests that people with schizophrenia could exercise just as much as anyone else<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-separator-rea-separator-block rea-separator-block front\"><div class=\"rea-separator-block__content\"><hr class=\"rea-separator-block__separator\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongbenefits-of-exercise-for-physical-and-mental-healthstrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong>Benefits of exercise for physical and mental health<\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">Keeping physically fit is known to have multiple general health benefits on top of improving heart health, such as reducing the risk of diabetes and even cancer.<sup>1<\/sup> Perhaps even more importantly, now that we are living with COVID-19, being more rather than less active could potentially reduce the risk of falling severely ill if you\u2019re unlucky enough to catch the causative virus.<sup>9<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>Then there are the many benefits that physical activity can have on mental health:<sup>2,10,11<\/sup><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-list-rea-list-block rea-list-block front\"><div class=\"rea-list-block__wrapper\"><div class=\"list-ordered list\"><p><strong>improved mood<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Lower stress levels<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Reduced anxiety<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Improved sleep<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Better self-esteem<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Fewer cognitive problems<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-separator-rea-separator-block rea-separator-block front\"><div class=\"rea-separator-block__content\"><hr class=\"rea-separator-block__separator\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongare-there-specific-exercise-benefits-for-people-with-schizophreniastrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong>Are there specific exercise benefits for people with schizophrenia?<\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">What about people living with schizophrenia? Well, studies have shown that exercise can help to improve schizophrenia symptoms.<sup>6,12<\/sup><br><sup>\u00a0<\/sup><br>Indeed, when used as part of a treatment plant that includes antipsychotic medication, then both positive and negative symptoms<sup>\u00a0<\/sup>as well as cognition and quality of life have been shown to improve with moderate intensity exerises.<sup>5,6,12\u00a0<\/sup>This means that simple and inexpensive activities such as walking or riding a bike could be of benefit.<sup>2<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>Don\u2019t forget that any potential benefits on schizophrenia symptoms will be in addition to the benefits on developing comorbid diseases such as diabetes or heart disease, so for many people starting to exercise more and be less sedentary could be a win-win situation.<sup>5,12<\/sup><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-separator-rea-separator-block rea-separator-block front\"><div class=\"rea-separator-block__content\"><hr class=\"rea-separator-block__separator\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongwhat-type-and-how-much-exercise-should-you-dostrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong>What type and how much exercise should you do?<\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">So, if exercise is good, how much should you do? The World Health Organization recommends that all adults should undertake weekly physical activity: 150\u2013300\u2009min of moderate-intensity or 75\u2013150\u2009min of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination of both.<sup>1<\/sup> In addition, the WHO advises that moderate-intensity muscle-strengthening activities should be performed on two or more days of the week, and that these exercises should that involve all the major muscle groups.<sup>2<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>That\u2019s all very well, but of course this advice really needs to be individualised \u2013\u00a0someone who may not have exercised in a long time or who has done very little exercise, for example, should perhaps be more cautious than someone who has been regularly exercising for years.<sup>14<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>Before staring any new exercise programmes, it\u2019s therefore good practice to ask a doctor for their advice, just to ensure that you don\u2019t overdo things or attempt things too quickly. There is also evidence to suggest that people with schizophrenia do better when they follow structured exercise programs under the guidance of a healthcare professional.<sup>15, 16<\/sup><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-separator-rea-separator-block rea-separator-block front\"><div class=\"rea-separator-block__content\"><hr class=\"rea-separator-block__separator\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front\"><div class=\"rea-title-block__content\"><h3 id=\"strongget-active-stay-activestrong\" class=\"content-title \"><strong>Get active, stay active!<\/strong><\/h3><h4 class=\"content-subtitle rea-hidden\"><\/h4><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-paragraph-rea-paragraph-block rea-paragraph-block front\"><div class=\"rea-paragraph-block__content\"><p class=\"content-text\">Getting more active in your daily life can be as simple as taking a regular walk in the park, climbing the stairs rather than using the lift, or getting off the bus a stop early and walking. Exercise does not always mean that you need to go to a gym.<br>\u00a0<br>Social support can be \u201ca great motivator\u201d according to the UK\u2019s Mental Health Foundation.<sup>2<\/sup> In their booklet \u2018<em>How to look after your mental health using exercise<\/em>\u201d they suggest \u201csharing your experiences, goals and achievements will help you to keep focus and enthusiasm.\u201d<sup>2 \u00a0<\/sup>The Foundation\u2019s booklet also suggests tips for how to overcome barriers to exercising, such as attending a same-sex exercise class if you\u2019re worried about body image.<sup>2<\/sup><br>\u00a0<br>There are lots of other good tips that can be found on the internet. Just remember that, according to the WHO, try to be less sedentary and some physical activity is better than none.<sup>1\u00a0<\/sup><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-references-rea-references-block rea-references-block front\"><div class=\"rea-references-block__references\"><p class=\"references-title\">References<\/p><ol class=\"references-list\"><li>World Health Organization. World Health organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior, 2020.\u00a0<\/li><li>Mental Health Foundation.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mentalhealth.org.uk\/publications\/how-to-using-exercise\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Looking after your mental health using exercise<\/a>.\u00a0<\/li><li>Living With Schizophrenia.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/livingwithschizophreniauk.org\/information-sheets\/exercise-schizophrenia\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Exercise and schizophrenia<\/a>.\u00a0<\/li><li>Stubbs B, Firth J, Berry A, <em>et al<\/em>.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0920996416302419?via%3Dihub\" class=\"rank-math-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">How much physical activity do people with schizophrenia engage in? A systematic review, comparative meta-analysis and meta-regression<\/a>. <em>Schizophr Res<\/em>. 2016:176(2\u20133):431\u201340.<\/li><li>Firth J, Rosenbaum S, Stubbs B, <em>et al<\/em>.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/s0033291716001732\" class=\"rank-math-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Motivating factors and barriers towards exercise in severe mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis<\/a>. <em>Psychol Med<\/em>. 2016;46(14):2869\u201381.<\/li><li>Curcic\u00a0D, Stojmenovic T, Djukic-Dejanovic S, <em>et al<\/em>.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29197203\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Positive impact of prescribed physical activity on symptoms of schizophrenia: randomized clinical trial.<\/a>\u00a0<em>Psychiatr Danub<\/em>. 2017;29(4):459\u201365.\u00a0<\/li><li>Rastad C, Martin C, \u00c5senl\u00f6f P.\u00a0<a href=\"file:\/\/\/Users\/medwriter\/MedWriter%20Limited\/Client%20Work\/Client%20Work%202021\/NewWay\/Patient%20articles\/04-Health%20-%20Exercise\/1.%09%20https%3A\/doi.org\/10.2522\/ptj.20120443\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Barriers, benefits, and strategies for physical activity in patients with schizophrenia | physical therapy.<\/a>\u00a0<em>Phys Ther<\/em>. 2014;94(10):1467\u201379.<\/li><li>Ho PA, Dahle DN, Noordsy DL. Why do people with schizophrenia exercise? a mixed methods analysis among community dwelling regular exercisers. <em>Front Psychiatry<\/em>. 2018;9: 596.<\/li><li>Sallis R, Rohm Young D, Tartof SY, et al.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1136\/bjsports-2021-104080\" class=\"rank-math-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Physical inactivity is associated with a higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes: a study in 48 440 adult patients<\/a>. <em>Br J Sports Med<\/em>. 2021;55(19):1099\u20131105.\u00a0<\/li><li>NHS.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/mental-health\/self-help\/guides-tools-and-activities\/exercise-for-depression\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Exercise for depression<\/a>.\u00a0<\/li><li>Mind.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mind.org.uk\/information-support\/tips-for-everyday-living\/physical-activity-and-your-mental-health\/about-physical-activity\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Physical activity and your mental health<\/a>.<\/li><li>Girdler SJ, Confino JE, Woesner ME.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/medworksmedia.com\/product\/exercise-as-a-treatment-for-schizophrenia-a-review\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Exercise as a treatment for schizophrenia: a review.<\/a><em>Psychopharmacol Bull<\/em>. 2019;49(1):56\u201369.<\/li><li>Chalfoun C, Karelis AD, Stip E, Abdel-Baki A.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/02640414.2015.1119875\" class=\"rank-math-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Running for your life: A review of physical activity and cardiovascular disease risk reduction in individuals with schizophrenia<\/a>. <em>J Sports Sci<\/em>. 2016;34(16):1500\u201315.<\/li><li>Viljoen M, Roos JL.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.31128\/ajgp-04-20-5384\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">RACGP &#8211; Physical exercise and the patient with schizophrenia<\/a>. <em>Aust J Gen Pract<\/em>. 2020;49(12):803\u20138.<\/li><li>Bueno-Antequera J, Mungu\u00eda-Izquierdo D.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/chapter\/10.1007%2F978-981-15-1792-1_21\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Exercise and schizophrenia<\/a>. <em>Adv Exp Med Biol<\/em>. 2020;1228<strong>:<\/strong> 317\u201332 .<\/li><li>Girdler SJ, Confino JE, Woesner ME.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/medworksmedia.com\/product\/exercise-as-a-treatment-for-schizophrenia-a-review\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Exercise as a treatment for schizophrenia: a review.<\/a><em>Psychopharmacol Bull<\/em>. 2019;49(1):56\u201369.<\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-rea-title-rea-title-block rea-title-block front rea-share-block\" style=\"margin-bottom:30px;text-align:center;\">\n\t\t<div class=\"\">\n\t\t\t<span style=\"display:block;margin-bottom:10px;font-size:20px;\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3057\" class=\"facebook-share\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;url=https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3057\" class=\"linkedin-share\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Share<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-fullwidth.php","meta":{"rea_page_title_signed_in_meta_block_field":"Why should people living with schizophrenia exercise?","rea_page_title_signed_out_meta_block_field":"Why should people living with schizophrenia exercise?","rea_page_description_signed_in_meta_block_field":"Keeping physically active is important for both physical and mental health. This article looks at the importance of exercise for people living with schizophrenia.","rea_page_description_signed_out_meta_block_field":"Keeping physically active is important for both physical and mental health. This article looks at the importance of exercise for people living with schizophrenia.","rea_page_footer_id_meta_block_field":"","rea_page_footer_date_meta_block_field":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3057","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3057","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3057"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3057\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5065,"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3057\/revisions\/5065"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mtasean.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3057"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}