Title of Research
Start Date
18-8-2017 10:00 AM
End Date
18-8-2017 11:30 AM
Abstract
Abstract
Background: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2013), about 25% of US adults have a mental illness. The economic demand that treatment for mental illness involves is extensive. Recent evidence suggests that the outdoor environment that consists of exercise may have an effect on mental health. Present review of literature is unclear how effective this intervention might be if incorporated into an inpatient psychiatric setting.
Objective: Examining the benefits of incorporating outdoor physical activity as an intervention to treat psychiatric disorders.
Method: The literature search for the research topic was found using the databases of: CINAHL Complete, PubMed, and ProQuest Sociology.
Results: The major findings of this integrative literature review reveal that there is a positive influence on mental health with outdoor activity in a variety of settings. Repeated physical activity in a natural setting as opposed to a built location seems to have added health benefits for subjective health. The literature suggests that outdoor physical activity and its plethora of benefits has a lot of potential to positively influence patient outcomes and its use should continue to be explored and implemented as a health intervention.
Conclusion: The lack of outdoor activity time in inpatient psychiatric settings could potentially be slowing the process of achievement of mental health. These finding suggest nurses should be advocates for outdoor physical activity time being a part of a patient’s treatment plan. Conversations between nurses and patients about physical activity and a more active lifestyle can improve health.
Keywords: physical activity, mental health, indoor, outdoor
Included in
Outdoor Physical Activity and Mental Health
Abstract
Background: According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2013), about 25% of US adults have a mental illness. The economic demand that treatment for mental illness involves is extensive. Recent evidence suggests that the outdoor environment that consists of exercise may have an effect on mental health. Present review of literature is unclear how effective this intervention might be if incorporated into an inpatient psychiatric setting.
Objective: Examining the benefits of incorporating outdoor physical activity as an intervention to treat psychiatric disorders.
Method: The literature search for the research topic was found using the databases of: CINAHL Complete, PubMed, and ProQuest Sociology.
Results: The major findings of this integrative literature review reveal that there is a positive influence on mental health with outdoor activity in a variety of settings. Repeated physical activity in a natural setting as opposed to a built location seems to have added health benefits for subjective health. The literature suggests that outdoor physical activity and its plethora of benefits has a lot of potential to positively influence patient outcomes and its use should continue to be explored and implemented as a health intervention.
Conclusion: The lack of outdoor activity time in inpatient psychiatric settings could potentially be slowing the process of achievement of mental health. These finding suggest nurses should be advocates for outdoor physical activity time being a part of a patient’s treatment plan. Conversations between nurses and patients about physical activity and a more active lifestyle can improve health.
Keywords: physical activity, mental health, indoor, outdoor