Get out of the house, exercise, socialize and feel good
The Thalassa project , led by the Sant Joan de Déu Health Park with the support of Fluidra, has shown that regular physical activity in water has a very positive impact on various aspects of the mental and physical health of people with mental health disorders. To prove this, it has evaluated over two years how this type of exercise has benefited more than a hundred people with serious mental health disorders.
The benefits of exercising in water for people with mental health disorders
One of these people is Maria Dolors Aribó , who explains that for her "it's a way to stop thinking about some things that you have outside and it helps you mentally a lot." She also assures that "in the water I feel protected."
Apart from the physical benefits that aquatic activity brings them, such as improved agility, elasticity and mobility, Belen Ribas , a social educator at the Sant Joan de Déu Health Park who has participated in the project, also highlights how it improves their autonomy, "because they come alone, they prepare their bag, if they leave something, they have to look for their life or ask for help." She also gives importance to the state of relaxation they have when they leave the sessions.
"These sessions give me life," says Muhammad Afzal , another participant, with satisfaction. "Before coming, I was locked up at home, isolated and didn't talk to anyone." Other proven benefits include improved self-esteem and social relationships, as well as a reduction in self-stigma. This aspect has also been very important for Alejandra Ortiz , who confesses: "There are days when I can't even handle myself and I force myself to come here, but when I go out, I feel better."
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