Mental Health and Exercise
There is mounting evidence that exercise is very effective in the treatment of mental illness, some suggesting this mode being more effective then medication. Despite all of this Australia’s mental illness rates are almost double the global average with 1 in 5 Australians experiencing a mental illness.
Exercise can make a dramatic different in a persons mood state and should be a fundamental component of any mental health treatment. In addition, exercise can also counteract some of the side effects from traditional medication treatments like increased weight, falls risk and blood pressure.
Higher doses of exercise may be more effective but it is best to start off with smaller bouts that can be increased over time.
Jake Hathway
Accredited Exercise Physiologist
Learn more Mental Health and Exercise