AKU recommends physical exercise to end mental health disorder
Aga Khan University students and members of staff participate in an annual games day which was held at Filbert Bayi School in Kibaha.
Dar es Salaam. In Tanzania, 5 out of 100,000 people have committed suicide out of mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, anger and drug abuse in the last five years, statistics from World Health Organization (WHO) show.
Aga Khan University Tanzania (AKU) mental health expert, Dr. Stewart Mbelwa noted that if people do physical exercise regularly, they can avoid this challenge which is now widespread.
He was speaking on Friday October 28, 2022 while participating in the Provost's Football Tournament, Sports Fiesta AKU organised by the University at Filbert Bayi Secondary School in Kibaha district.
" As long as blood is distributed to every part of the body, it means you send oxygen to all parts. In mental health, when the blood circulation is good, the brain receives enough oxygen and helps it function properly,” he said.
He added: When the human body does physical exercises, it helps the muscles to relax, there is a good relationship between physical exercises and mental health. Tanzanians should build a culture of doing physical exercises to improve mental health.
On her part, the head of AKU Tanzania, Dr. Eunice Pallangyo, said that sports is some form of treatment, saying that a person who cares about his health should not wait to go to the hospital to be given pills. He said that if you exercise, you stimulate the blood, which is important for mental health.
"This is our regular procedure every last Friday of the 10th month to do various games by gathering all the students, teachers and staff of the college. These games are organised in a way that builds relationships among us," said Dr. Pallangyo.
