Exercise is one of the best things you can do to preserve mental health or recover from mental illness. Exercise programs can be low cost, have no unwanted side-effects and are universally available ensuring everyone can find an exercise that suits them.
Australia’s leading mental health and exercise researcher Dr Simon Rosenbaum of the University of NSW and Black Dog Institute has conducted a number of studies testing the impact of exercise on mental health.
“Physical activity plays a really important role in not only maintaining positive health and wellbeing but also helping people who may be experiencing psychological distress or symptoms of mental illness," says Dr Rosenbaum.
60% of Australians are inactive, which means most of us have an easy ticket to better health.
In association with UNSW and Black Dog Institute, EML created a series of videos with Dr Simon Rosenbaum to promote the positive impact of exercise on mental health.
Six videos to help you move for mental health
Introduction: exercise your mood with Dr Simon Rosenbaum
Good mental health through exercise
Getting started
Keeping it social
Exercise for emergency service and defence personnel
Supporting PTSD with exercise
Exercise does not replace prescribed medical treatments. If you have concerns, talk to a health professional or discuss them with your case manager, psychologist or exercise physiologist.
Exercise and your mental health
Many people find that exercise helps manage day-to-day stresses.
Benefits include:
- Improved physical health
- Better quality sleep
- More energy
- Reduced risk of developing chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes
Physical activity that involves other people has the added benefit of increasing your social connectedness, adding to the mental health benefits.
Some jobs and industries, such as emergency services, have a higher risk of mental illness such as PTSD. For first responders, being physically active can be equally important for mental health as it is for physical health.
Tips on getting started
Think about what will work for you and how you can adapt your goals to achieve something every day. Having an exercise partner or social support can also make a big difference to your motivation.
These are Dr Rosenbaum’s top tips for getting started:
- Keep it simple
When your motivation is down pick a small goal, whether it be walking to the mail box, around the block or to the shops to get a bottle of milk. - Find an activity you enjoy
Find something you can make part of your daily routine, even something small is better than nothing. - Keep a diary
Write down your exercise goals (no matter how small or big they may be) and review them regularly.
Mobile phone can be used as a pedometer to record your steps. As your step count increases, your fitness improves!
Further resources
Black Dog Institute
A not-for-profit which is internationally recognised as a pioneer in the identification, prevention and treatment of mental illnesses, and the promotion of well-being.
Exercise & Sports Science Australia
A professional organisation which is committed to establishing, promoting and defending the career paths of tertiary trained exercise and sports science practitioners.
Translational Journal of the American College of Sport Medicine
Exercise and PTSD Symptoms in Emergency Service and Frontline Medical Workers: A Systemic Review. Associations between physical activity levels and PTSD symptoms.