🏋️ How Exercise Helps Your Mental Health

Exercise isn’t just good for your body—it’s powerful for your mind too. Here’s why:

• 🏃‍♀️ Improves Mood Chemistry: Aerobic exercise like walking, cycling, or swimming raises serotonin and dopamine—the same “feel-good” chemicals targeted by antidepressants—while reducing stress hormones like cortisol.

• 💪 Boosts Brain Health: Resistance training increases Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a protein that acts like fertiliser for your brain. This supports brain cell growth, improving memory, mood, and overall brain health.

• ⚖️ Comparable to Medication: Research shows regular moderate exercise can be as effective as antidepressant medication (SSRIs) for mild to moderate depression.

• 😌 Reduces Anxiety & Stress: Physical activity lowers tension and promotes relaxation, helping you feel calmer and more in control.

• 🌙 Better Sleep & Energy: Exercise improves sleep quality and boosts daytime energy, both essential for mental wellbeing.

• 🤝 Sustainable Habits: Choose activities you enjoy—dancing, gardening, team sports—because enjoyment makes it easier to stick with long term. For some people, that means exercising in groups or joining classes for extra motivation and social connection.

Tip: Aim for a mix of aerobic and resistance training. Even 20–30 minutes, 3–5 times a week, can make a big difference.

💻 Helpful Tool: The https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/ website and app are fantastic for practical tips, personalised activity plans, and motivational tools to help you start and stay active. It’s designed to make exercise achievable and enjoyable for everyone.

Exercise