On September 8th, we celebrated World Physio Day!

World Physio Day is a global event that communities all over the world celebrate to recognise the importance Physiotherapists play in improving the life of patients and all of those around them to help them to move pain free and improve their health.

This year, the focus of the World Physio Day campaign was on the relationship between exercise and mental health. The motto was “get active, stay active” and the social media hashtag was #choosephysio.

It is the sad reality that each year, 1 in 5 Australians will experience a mental illness. That number is almost double the global average.

Everyone knows that regular exercise is good for the body. But exercise is also one of the most effective ways to improve your mental health. Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts overall mood. And you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic to reap the benefits. Research indicates that modest amounts of exercise can make a difference. No matter your age or fitness level, you can learn to use exercise as a powerful tool to feel better.

Mental Health Benefits of Exercise:

  • Regular exercise can help you sleep better. And good sleep helps you regulate your moods.
  • Exercise can improve your sense of control, coping ability and self-esteem. People who exercise regularly often report how good achieving a goal makes them feel.
  • Exercise can distract you from negative thoughts and provide opportunities to try new experiences.
  • It offers an opportunity to socialise and get social support if you exercise with others.
  • The levels of chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, stress hormones and endorphins, change when you exercise.
  • Exercise increases your energy levels.
  • Physical activity can be an outlet for your frustrations.
  • Exercise can reduce skeletal muscle tension, which helps you feel more relaxed.

 

How Can Our Physiotherapist Help?

  • Listen to what matters to you
  • Ensure targets are realistic and achievable
  • Work with you to develop a program that is tailored to your needs
  • Keep you motivated and adapt the program as you progress

 

Wondering just how active you need to be to get a mental health boost? It’s probably not as much as you think. You can reap all the physical and mental health benefits of exercise with 30-minutes of moderate exercise five times a week. Two 15-minute or even three 10-minute exercise sessions can also work just as well.

 

To book in for Physiotherapy, Massage, Acupuncture or Pilates, call the clinic on 3869 1099 or BOOK ONLINE!