Physical exercise – a neglected intervention in mental healthcare?

Jennifer Beal, head of occupational therapy at Cygnet Hospital Beckton, discusses why focusing on physical activity alongside more traditional therapies for mental health treatment can bring positive results:  The physical benefits of exercise are hardly a secret, with barely a day going by without the media discussing the health and wellbeing advantages that regular exercise brings. Whether it’s a 30-minute jog around the park, hitting the exercise bike after work, a weekend yoga class, or regular Zumba session, exercise plays a crucial role in keeping fit, healthy and warding off conditions from heart disease to obesity. What’s often missing from