Always on Call
A classmate quoted Bill Phillips in her post about a Wellness Program.
My response is as follows:
"Food is the most widely abused anti-anxiety drug and exercise is the most potent and underutilized antidepressant. "
This is a Bill Phillips quote. He is an American entrepreneur who sells fitness products, natural supplements and his own motivational mentoring. While I do see the value in exercise and nutrient-rich diets, there is a lot of damage that can be done via this philosophy. This quote is misinformed and perpetuates that misinformation around mental health care, while further alienating an already-vulnerable population. Food is not a drug, and while I am well-aware the argument is that bad food does have a drug-like effect, comparing food to drugs is really upsetting to people, like me, who actually rely on drugs to manage our anxiety and depression symptoms. Exercise may have anti-depressant like qualities, but it is not an anti-depressant. Telling people who are depressed and anxious to just exercise more is insensitive and ignores their very real daily struggles, and undermines their efforts toward wellness if they don't adhere to specific criteria. Crippling anxiety and depression can make exercise and healthy eating feel impossible. Furthermore, physical fitness is not synonymous with wellness. It's important to gauge individual attitudes toward wellness and not just assume that everyone needs to be fit or healthy to be worthy or valuable. These are constructs that capitalism and industrialization has created in order for consumers to keep consuming, and it's important for progressive leadership to recognize and dismantle these harmful ideals.
Admittedly, I could have said more. But it's late and I'm tired. Enough advocacy for one day. Zzzz
My response is as follows:
"Food is the most widely abused anti-anxiety drug and exercise is the most potent and underutilized antidepressant. "
This is a Bill Phillips quote. He is an American entrepreneur who sells fitness products, natural supplements and his own motivational mentoring. While I do see the value in exercise and nutrient-rich diets, there is a lot of damage that can be done via this philosophy. This quote is misinformed and perpetuates that misinformation around mental health care, while further alienating an already-vulnerable population. Food is not a drug, and while I am well-aware the argument is that bad food does have a drug-like effect, comparing food to drugs is really upsetting to people, like me, who actually rely on drugs to manage our anxiety and depression symptoms. Exercise may have anti-depressant like qualities, but it is not an anti-depressant. Telling people who are depressed and anxious to just exercise more is insensitive and ignores their very real daily struggles, and undermines their efforts toward wellness if they don't adhere to specific criteria. Crippling anxiety and depression can make exercise and healthy eating feel impossible. Furthermore, physical fitness is not synonymous with wellness. It's important to gauge individual attitudes toward wellness and not just assume that everyone needs to be fit or healthy to be worthy or valuable. These are constructs that capitalism and industrialization has created in order for consumers to keep consuming, and it's important for progressive leadership to recognize and dismantle these harmful ideals.
Admittedly, I could have said more. But it's late and I'm tired. Enough advocacy for one day. Zzzz
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