The article is title is lifestyle and mental health by Roger Walsh. This article was published in 2011. The article is mainly about therapeutic life changes and their effectiveness in the field of psychology and their benefits in the medical field. The article also provides some challenges that exist when utilizing therapeutic life changes (TLCs). The discussion the article also offers how therapeutic life changes can assist in addressing some of the global health concerns among individuals.
Summary
Healthy lifestyle factors are beneficial in treating and enhancing psychological well being of individuals. Some conditions and diseases that emanate from lifestyle habits include obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and diabetes. These diseases are controlled by lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet, drinking alcohol and physical exercise. The advantages offered by addressing these lifestyle factors is that efficiency in treating the conditions is increase and cost that may be incurred is reasonably reduced. Compared to the use of drugs, therapeutic life changes have fewer side effects. Patients benefit by having improved health, physically. Additionally, some of the therapeutic life changes are quite enjoyable and may end up being recurring habits such as meditation. The therapists may also benefit by adopting the positive lifestyle changes. Clinics may also benefit financially by adopting lifestyle programs to be used to guide patients.
Eight therapeutic lifestyle changes are considered effective. These include diet, recreation, exercise, nutrition, and diet, stress management, serving others, spending time in nature, relaxation, and spiritual involvement. Benefits from exercising include a reduction in the risk of developing disorders. Nutrition and diet should be selected to represent a balanced diet. Emphasis on the selection of the diet is based on the condition the patient is experiencing. Nature provides enhanced cognitive functioning and improves the well-being of a person. Nature helps to improve attention spans of individuals. Additionally, the spiritual aspect of an individual is enhanced. Relationships form a critical component of therapeutic life style changes since most of the psychological issues and problems are caused by a breakdown in relationships. Recreational activities seek to reduce stress and promote positive moods among individuals. Relaxation and stress management provide patients with correct ways of addressing their problems especially when they are stress related. Spiritual involvement promotes healing especially where love and forgiveness are involved.
Critique
The author provides an extensive research on the various therapeutic lifestyle changes that may enhance the health of an individual. The author emphasizes the neglect medical health professionals have on the use of therapeutic lifestyle changes in their practice. Patients may be more encouraged to transform their lives in cases where the therapist has already experienced a lifestyle change.
The writer has done extensive research on the subject, supports it with literature, and studies from other researchers. This evidenced by use of statistical figures that indicate the author’s intent of delivering his message. The writer provides both benefits and challenges that may be experienced when applying the therapeutic lifestyle changes. This provides valuable information to a therapist or clinician on areas that may provide some issues when attending to patients. The writer, however, does not provide approaches that may be used to address these challenges. The author writes about obesity, which is turning out to be a global situation. The therapeutic lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise are some of the effective measures that can be highly effective in addressing obesity.
Conclusion
This article is best suited for all the health professionals and most families that are seeking to improve the state of both their physical and mental health. Health has become very critical issue globally. Many medical professionals are seeking the use of medication and drugs to address situations that are caused by lifestyle factors, which seems to be inefficient and in some cases may worsen the conditions. More emphasis needs to be made on the importance of lifestyle habits that affects the health of individuals.
References
Walsh, R. (2011). Lifestyle and Mental Health. American Psychologist, 66(7), 579-592.
