The title of the infographic is, Thinking Critically About Therapeutic Lifestyle Change.
The Learning Objective Question reads, Why is therapeutic lifestyle change considered an effective biomedical therapy, and how does it work?
The first panel has the heading on the left, Lifestyle. Under the heading it reads, (exercise, nutrition, relationships, recreation, service to others, relaxation, and religious or spiritual engagement). After this text is a right-facing arrow pointing to this text, influences our brain and body. After that is another right-facing arrow pointing to the text, affects our mental health. (Footnote 1: Sánchez-Villegas et al., 2015; Walsh, 2011.) So lifestyle influences our brain and body which also influences our mental health.
The next panel has text that reads, Our shared history has prepared us to be physically active and socially engaged. Our ancestors hunted, gathered, and built in groups. Under this text is an illustration of a group of early humans around a fire with several of them bringing wood for the fire. Under this illustration is the text, Modern researchers have found that outdoor activity in a natural environment reduces stress and promotes health. (Footnote 2: MacKerron & Mourato, 2013; NEEF, 2015; Phillips, 2011.) Under this text is an illustration of a woman holding the hand of a little boy as they walk on a path through the trees.
The next panel has the title, Application to therapy. Under the heading is the text, Training seminars promote therapeutic lifestyle change. (Footnote 3: Ilardi, 2009.) Small groups of people with depression undergo a 12-week training program with the following goals:
The first box in this section has this text, Aerobic exercise, 30 minutes a day, at least three times weekly (increases fitness and vitality, stimulates endorphins). Accompanying this text is an illustration of a person with his head turned right, looking at a basketball. On the other side of the person is the text, Regular exercise rivals the healing power of antidepressant drugs (Footnote 4: Babyak et al., 2000; Salmon, 2001; Schuch et al., 2016b.) The same illustration shows the same man’s head also looking left at a bottle of pills.
The next box in the training-program goals section has the text, Light exposure, 15 to 30 minutes each morning with a light box (amplifies arousal, influences hormones). Next to this text is an illustration of a beaming light source.
The next box in the goals section has the text, Reducing rumination, by identifying and redirecting negative thoughts (enhances positive thinking). Next to this text is an illustration of a woman with a thought bubble of herself as a smiling, happy child.
The next box in the goals section has the text, Adequate sleep, with a goal of 7 to 8 hours per night. A complete night’s sleep boosts immunity and increases energy, alertness, and mood. (Footnote 5: Gregory et al., 2009; Walker & van der Helm, 2009.) Next to this is an illustration of a young man sleeping.
The next box in the goals section has the text, Social connection, with less alone time and at least two meaningful social engagements weekly (helps satisfy the human need to belong). Next to this is an illustration of young people dancing under a disco ball.
The last box in the goals section has the text, Nutritional supplements, including a daily fish oil supplement with omega-3 fatty acids (aids in healthy brain functioning).
The next panel in the infographic has the heading, Initial small study (74 participants). (Footnote 6: Ilardi, 2009, 2016.)
Under the heading are two pie charts. The chart on the left shows that 77 percent of those who completed the program experienced relief from depressive symptoms. The chart on the right shows that only 19 percent of those assigned to a treatment-as-usual control group showed similar results.
The last panel has text that reads, The biomedical therapies assume that mind and body are a unit: Affect one and you will affect the other. An illustration shows a seated young man with an arrow pointing from his head to his body and another arrow pointing from his body to his head.