Mental Health Conditions
Anxiety and Depression Recovery
Anxiety or Depression holding you back from living life to the fullest?
Approximately 1 in 5 New Zealanders will experience medium to high levels of mental distress at some point in their lifetime. And these numbers are on the rise.*
Exercise can help assist with managing mental health conditions such as anxiety, panic disorder, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
*https://www.hpa.org.nz/sites/default/files/Mental_Health_Aotearoa_Insight_2020.pdf
Sometimes it can be hard to appreciate the beautiful things in life, as much as you want to.
The good news is that exercise can help improve mental health at a chemical level!
Exercise has mood-enhancing effects due to the increase in the circulation of ‘happy hormones’ such as dopamine and serotonin following exercise. It also helps with the regulation of the stress response by reducing the ‘reactivity’ of the brain to stress, and lowering cortisol levels (the ‘stress hormone’).
Beyond all this - exercise improves sleep quality, increases energy levels, improves confidence and self-esteem, and is a great distraction from negative or anxious thoughts.
Exercise physiologists have an in-depth understanding of what it means to have a mental health condition. You can’t just ‘shake it off’ and move on. Where exercise physiology can come in, is helping you to choose the exercise that is right for you, supporting you through the ups and downs of the journey, overcoming any barriers on the way, and assisting you in making sustainable lifestyle changes. We may also discuss stress management strategies such as mindfulness, belly breathing, and grounding strategies.
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