Exercise Motivation and Mental Health Benefits

Social distancing and mass quarantines were implemented worldwide in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Prior research on the effects of social isolation has shown that such measures bear negative consequences for population health and well-being. Conversely, a growing body of evidence suggests that feeling positively identified with a group is associated with a range of physical and mental health benefits. This effect is referred to as the social cure and generalizes to various identities. In line with these findings, this study tested whether national identification could promote wellbeing and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do so, we used survey data conducted among 67 countries (N = 46,450) which included measures of wellbeing, national identification, and subjective physical health. Mixed-model analyses revealed that national identity was indeed associated with wellbeing - despite adjustment on social belonging, COVID-19 perceived risk, exposure, and ideology. This effect did not extend to subjective health. These results suggest that the mere feeling of belonging to a national group may have mental health benefits and could be leveraged by governments. We discuss the implications of our findings within the social cure framework and their relevance for population mental health under COVID-19.

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Learning as an Important Privilege: A Life Span Perspective with Implications for Successful Aging

Human Development ◽

10.1159/000514554 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 51-64

Author(s):

Rachel Wu ◽

Jiaying Zhao ◽

Cecilia Cheung ◽

Misaki N. Natsuaki ◽

George W. Rebok ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cognitive Development ◽

Life Span ◽

Social Engagement ◽

Successful Aging ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Dynamic Environment ◽

Functional Independence ◽

Technological Advances ◽

Mental Health Benefits

Research has demonstrated the cognitive and mental health benefits of learning new skills and content across the life span, enhancing knowledge as well as cognitive performance. We argue that the importance of this learning – which is not available equally to all – goes beyond the cognitive and mental health benefits. Learning is important for not only the maintenance, but also enhancement of functional independence in a dynamic environment, such as changes induced by the COVID-19 pandemic and technological advances. Learning difficult skills and content is a privilege because the opportunities for learning are neither guaranteed nor universal, and it requires personal and social engagement, time, motivation, and societal support. This paper highlights the importance of considering learning new skills and content as an <i>important privilege</i> across the life span and argues that this privilege becomes increasingly exclusionary as individuals age, when social and infrastructural support for learning decreases. We highlight research on the potential positive and negative impacts of retirement, when accessibility to learning opportunities may vary, and research on learning barriers due to low expectations and limited resources from poverty. We conclude that addressing barriers to lifelong learning would advance theories on life span cognitive development and raise the bar for successful aging. In doing so, our society might imagine and achieve previously unrealized gains in life span cognitive development, through late adulthood.

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The ultimate guide to your at-home fitness regime

Dental Nursing ◽

10.12968/denn.2020.16.6.276 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 276-277

Author(s):

Jay Kara

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Benefits ◽

At Home

There are huge physical and mental health benefits of exercise, even more so during these unprecedented times. Here, fitness coach Jay Kara offers his guide to the perfect home workout

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