Its Mental Health Awareness week 26 September - 2 October 2022
Exercise and mental health
As we move through a particularly wet and dreary Winter, our motivation might be at an all time low. It’s at these points in life that we really need to check in on our mental health and do what we can to look after ourselves. While talk therapy with a qualified therapist has some important benefits and should definitely be considered as part of maintaining overall mental health, these sessions can be costly. Physical exercise does not need to be super expensive and the benefits of weekly physical exercise on mental health can include:
- Improved sleep
- Stress relief
- Improvement in mood and self-esteem
- Reduced anxiety and depression
- Lowered rates of mental health issues
Even short bursts of brisk or moderate exercise of 10 minutes for a total of 30 minutes a day, 3-5 days a week can make a profound difference on mental health. Who knows? Starting an exercise habit might become part of a life-long routine that will benefit your mental and physical health. If you’re thinking about where to start and would like some friendly advice, come and see the team here at Fastlane.
Sources:
Exercise for Mental Health - PMC
How to look after your mental health using exercise
