Physical Activity & Your Mental Health

Mental Health / Get Fit

Being physically active means sitting down less and moving our bodies more. Many people find that physical activity helps them maintain positive mental health, either on its own, or in combination with other treatments.

This doesn't have to mean running marathons or training every day at the gym. There are lots of different things you can do to be a bit more active. 

How can physical activity help my mental health?

There are many studies which have shown that doing physical activity can improve mental health. For example, it can help with:

  • better sleep – by making you feel more tired at the end of the day
  • happier moods – physical activity releases feel-good hormones that make you feel better in yourself and give you more energy
  • managing stress, anxiety or intrusive and racing thoughts – doing something physical releases cortisol which helps us manage stress. Being physically active also gives your brain something to focus on and can be a positive coping strategy for difficult times
  • better self-esteem – being more active can make you feel better about yourself as you improve and meet your goals
  • reducing the risk of depression – studies have shown that doing regular physical activity can reduce the likelihood of experiencing a period of depression
  • connecting with people – doing group or team activities can help you meet new and like-minded people, and make new friends.

But physical activity isn't always helpful for everyone's mental health. You may find that it is helpful at some times and not others, or just that it doesn't work for you. For some people, physical activity can start to have a negative impact on their mental health, for example, if you have an eating problem or tend to overtrain.

What if I'm feeling unwell?

When you're feeling unwell, it can be really hard to get started and it can be frustrating when people tell you about the benefits of being more active.

If you're in a really bad place, don't be too hard on yourself if you can't exercise. It can be easy to start feeling guilty or beat yourself up about not exercising, and this can start to contribute to feeling unwell.

You may need to focus on other things for a while, and build some physical activity into your routine once you're feeling a bit better. It's important to find a balance, and figure out what works best for you.

Content sourced from Mind (mind.org.uk).

Mental Health Useful Resources

Inspire Workplaces (one of the new names for Carecall and EAP Consultants), is a leading...
These five directories list the names, numbers and web addresses (where applicable) of...
The EA currently have 345 staff on our Mental Health First Aider network. The Mental...
Our support groups offer a safe space for people aged 18+ to share experiences of anxiety...
AMH New Life Counselling provides high quality counselling services and is part of Action...
The British Red Cross is helping people connect with their local communities, meet new...
MindWise are proud to be the only membership-led mental health organisation in Northern...
This includes: Raising awareness of depression and Aware NI services at a wide range of...
AMH EveryBODY aims to promote greater understanding and awareness of eating disorders. We...
We have a wealth of experience in delivering training and consultancy services to a wide...
WiseTalking is a pilot Talking Therapies service for children and young people who are...
Tailored activities to support positive mental health and emotional wellbeing. MensSana,...
The Community Care and Support Service is open to individuals over the age of 18 years...
Our Talking Therapies Practice offers individuals a range of psychological interventions...
Helping employees become more resilient, by giving them the skills to reframe negative...
It is estimated that the overall prevalence of mental health conditions in Northern...
Free access to eBooks, audiobooks and eMagazines - available to download on your device...
A partnership, led by AMH, who worked with 8 leading charities to improve mental health...
Since 2010 Action Mental Health has been successfully delivering Chronic Pain/Conditions...
You must download the Libby app to continue to access the eMagazine and eNewspaper...
Stress doesn’t just make you feel bad – it can also be bad for your health. The good news...
CBT involves examining your thoughts, feelings and behaviour patterns, and working out...
Be Mindful is an online course that uses mindfulness techniques like meditation,...
Action Mental Health is one of the ChatPal Project Team Members working to develop and...
This is aimed at the over 55’s and is delivered to groups in community settings. The...
Our team of facilitators have extensive knowledge and experience in the field of Mental...
Advanced Diploma in Mental Health and Wellbeing Coaching This virtual training programme...
First aid as we know it is the help given to an injured person before medical treatment...
Well mind is a workshop which focuses on recognising the triggers of stress and the...
Clinical hypnotherapy is the use of hypnosis for the treatment and alleviation of a...
We’ve gathered useful advice, information and help for young people aged 8-25 and those...
AMH Promote provides opportunities for adults with a learning disability to be socially...
This is delivered to expectant mothers & parents of babies under 3 years of age. It...
This programme is a six week training programme for groups of adults and focuses on...
This idea is a walk in the park. It really is that simple, post a news item to see how...
Back to Life, Back to Normality is a free 12-week mental health programme delivered by...
Beyond Bricks is Lego® Based Play that uses a 'recovery to discovery' approach to enhance...
AWARE also offers an online support group service. The groups provide an opportunity to...
Belfast Resource Centre offers many opportunities including social and leisure activities...
Anxiety can affect anyone at any time, however, students often experience additional...
This is a six-session programme using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) concepts – the...
AMH New Horizons provides a comprehensive programme of specialist training in: Personal...
Supporting veterans at risk of suicide across Northern Ireland. Exposure to line of duty...
MindWise is delighted to offer employers an opportunity to train their staff as Mental...
A project for men aged 50+ to share skills, socialise and connect with their wider...
Libraries NI can provide a free Homecall service to your home if you have significant...
Link & Learns are bite size, topical learning sessions for your employees, delivered...
Counselling is a form of talking therapy that allows you to speak openly about your...
From books and magazines to local history resources, Libraries NI has a host of fabulous...
The OUR Generation project is a Peace IV funded project that provides a unique...
Bloom is a UK-wide programme which supports young people’s mental health resilience,...
Mindfulness is a form of meditation with its roots in Buddhism. It helps you develop...
Everyone’s mental health and emotional well-being is important and many different issues...
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), developed by Professor Paul Gilbert OBE, is a...
Sourcing and supporting employment opportunities, training and/or voluntary placements...
AMH Works provide specialised mental wellbeing training and consultancy to tackle...
Mood Matters Young People programme is aimed at 14-18 year olds and gives them knowledge...
There are a number of health campaigns throughout the year to raise awareness of...
This is delivered to the general adult population, including those affected by depression...
Positive Minds for Premature Parents supports families of premature babies to develop and...
This supportive behaviour change programme motivates individuals who are ready to make...
Moodpath: Depression and Anxiety is a written mood journal that uses progress reports and...
The Sorted app is accredited by NHS digital - a mark of its effectiveness, safety and...
Guided meditations
MoodMission helps you learn new and better ways of coping with low moods and anxiety...
Support to resist self-harm
Boost your happiness and create a kinder world while doing it with the Action for...
Trusted information for people who self-harm or feel suicidal Concerned about self-harm?...
MindShift CBT is a free self-help anxiety relief app, that helps you reduce worry, stress...
It’s an easy to follow programme known the world over, and perfect for those new to...
What is Calm: Sleep & Meditation? Calm: Sleep & Meditation is a wellness app...
Learn to manage negative thoughts and look at problems differently
SuperBetter is a tool created by game designers to help you build resilience and get...
Wysa is your cute, emotional health buddy and well being tracker. It fits right in your...
Personalised Exercise Plans
What's Up? can help you cope with anxiety, stress and feelings of depression. It has...
Handle stress and anxiety on the go
Starting a regular habit of meditation can help us to improve concentration, reduce...
Clear Fear is an app developed for teenage mental health charity Stem4 which uses the...
Guided meditations
Here2Help has been developed by a local initiative from people who want to make the range...
Your New Daily Workout for Life Welcome to your versatile and practical mental fitness...
Self-Help for Anxiety Management (SAM) offers a range of self-help methods to help you...
Active 10 is a free and easy to use walking app that tracks your walking and shows you...
Whether you're feeling sad, anxious and stressed, or you're dealing with constant...
No matter your circumstances or position, Find Help NI simplifies the process of finding...
Fabulous! Is a motivational app that uses challenges to help build physically and...
Your Mind Plan offers practical ideas and advice to help you boost and maintain your mental wellbeing. Answer the quick 5-question quiz and the Every Mind Matters widget will give you 5 tailored actions to help you feel more in control, improve your sleep, deal with stress and anxiety, and boost your mood – as well as the option to easily swap any actions and to save the whole plan via email.

Mental Health Helplines & Web Chats

Samaritans
Action Mental Health
Association for Post-Natal Illness Helpline
Aware NI - Support Groups
Aware NI - Online Support Groups
Mind - Side by Side Online Community