Movement: Moving More For Our Mental Health

Have you ever wondered why health professionals keep focusing on physical health when dealing with mental health? The answer is easy – they are connected. If you can improve your physical activity, even just an extra five minutes a day, you can be supporting not only your physical health but also your mental health.

How?

The benefits of physical activity on mental health are varied but include:

• increases self-esteem – you can gain a sense of achievement which then supports you to set new goals thereby improving motivation, confidence and reduced social isolation.
• releases chemicals in the brain that impact mood positively – the impact of such chemicals can help reduce anxiety and depression and negative mood.
• decreases stress – cortisol and adrenaline are the body’s stress hormones and exercise can help reduce these within the body.
• reduces fatigue – ironically exercise reduces fatigue and can increase alertness and concentration.
• improves sleep – a better quality of sleep can be the product of regular exercise.
• Can reduce somatic trauma manifestations – activities such as yoga, medication, stillness, massage, and breath work can support trauma processing and bring relief to the body and mind.

Just five minutes a day can help so find your exercise: are you a walker, or a chair exerciser, are you a gym goer or a dancer in your bedroom to your favourite tunes? Whatever it is, it all counts, and it will all support your mental health in positive ways! Try it!