When it comes to improving our mental health, we often associate it with structured and intense physical activities such as jogging, biking, or swimming. However, a recent study reveals that there is another aspect to consider – the variety of our everyday movements. According to this small study conducted on psychiatric patients, visiting different locations is linked to a higher sense of wellbeing in individuals with depression or anxiety.
The research consisted of 106 patients with various mental health conditions including affective disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Some of these patients were inpatients at hospitals, while others were outpatients receiving regular care at medical institutions but living at home. Over the course of a week, the participants carried an extra phone equipped with GPS to track their movements, in addition to completing surveys related to their wellbeing, psychological flexibility, and mental health symptoms.
The comparison of GPS data and survey results revealed an interesting correlation: individuals who had greater movement in terms of space and time reported a higher sense of wellbeing. It is worth noting that this was the case even when the symptoms of their mental health issues remained largely the same. Unsurprisingly, outpatients showed significantly more movement than inpatients, as they spent a considerable amount of their day at home. However, those patients who experienced phobias or anxiety related to leaving safe spaces displayed lower mobility and a smaller activity area.
Interestingly, the study did not find a significant relationship between other mental health symptoms and patients’ daily movements. On the other hand, higher levels of emotional wellbeing and psychological flexibility were consistently associated with more movement and a greater variety of movement. This suggests that while activity alone may not be sufficient to alleviate symptoms of mental disorders, it can contribute to improved subjective wellbeing.
Importance of Everyday Activities in Mental Health
The findings from this study add to the limited body of research on the effects of everyday activities among individuals with mental health issues. In fact, it stands out as one of the pioneering studies to utilize GPS tracking as a means to measure spontaneous movements. While it is important to acknowledge potential privacy concerns related to collecting such data in real-life settings, in a study context, it allows researchers to gain valuable insights into the impact of simple and often overlooked activities.
Previous research has already shown that physical activity can significantly improve wellbeing and mental health. However, most of these studies have primarily focused on structured exercise. The question of how spontaneous movement in daily life affects individuals seeking mental health treatment remains largely unanswered.
A small study conducted in 2021 on 67 participants shed some light on this matter. It found that everyday activities, such as walking to the tram stop or climbing a flight of stairs, enhanced alertness and energy levels. Further examination of participants’ brains with magnetic resonance imaging revealed that those who experienced increased energy after movement had a larger volume of gray brain matter in the subgenual cingulate cortex, a region associated with emotional regulation.
While figuring out how to translate these findings into practical applications for preventing and treating mental health issues poses a challenge, embracing simple movements could be an innocuous starting point. Additionally, spending time in nature may also play a significant role. Research has established a link between physical activity in nature during childhood and improved mental health outcomes in adulthood. In some parts of the world, doctors have even begun “prescribing” time in nature as a means to boost both mental and physical health.
It is crucial to acknowledge that the GPS study discussed in this article is small and limited in scope. However, its findings indicate that movement patterns, such as distance traveled, the number of destinations visited, and variability of destinations, may serve as markers of overall functioning and wellbeing among individuals with mental health issues. By recognizing the importance of everyday movements and incorporating them into mental health treatment, we may be able to provide more comprehensive care and support for those in need.
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