Exercise is widely known to be beneficial for our physical health including reducing risk of cardiometabolic and non-communicable diseases. Did you know that exercise is heavily supported by evidence to also improve mental health and wellbeing?

5 mental health benefits of exercise include:

1. Improvements in mood – this can help with increasing energy levels, manage depressive symptoms and in turn, manage a variety of mental illnesses including depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance and alcohol abuse
2. Reduction in stress and anxiety – it is estimated that between 75-90% of primary care physician visits concerning cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, headaches, and back and neck pain are associated with stress. Hence, exercise may help with managing these conditions and lead to an improved quality of life. Exercise can also have a therapeutic effect for anxiety disorders.
3. More social engagement and dwelling within the community – group exercises can reduce social isolation and heighten our motivation to participate in exercise with our friends and family. There recently has been a trend towards “group fitness training” for very good reasons!
4. Improvements in memory, reasoning, judgement and concentration – this is beneficial in managing symptoms of ADHD and autism spectrum in children, and Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease in the elderly
5. Improvements in confidence and self-esteem – when we exercise, we are able to be in touch with our bodies and appreciate how much it can do for our everyday lives! This can lead to beneficial changes in body image, which can improve symptoms of many eating disorders.

The benefits of exercise are not limited to the ones listed above. Start your health journey by calling UniquePhysio on 9709 2803 or by booking online with one of our exercise physiologists, Hadi or Winona.