Mental Health & Wellbeing

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

Physical activity and exercise isn’t just good for your body, it is also imperative for our mental health and general wellbeing. In recent times, many of us have spent extended time sitting, having less access to organised sports. Many have experienced periods of lethargy and low motivation. The message of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is more important than ever.

Team and individual sports and organised physical activities are a great way to keep fit, but being active can occur in many ways.

Headspace Australia promote the positive impact of being physically active attributing to clearing your mind and aid in managing emotions. Some examples include:

1. Take a walk

OK, so a gentle stroll might sound like more of a thrill for your nan, but don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Walking is one of the simplest ways to get your body moving while getting some headspace. Taking a stroll somewhere is the ultimate way to be productive and chill out at the same time. It gives you a chance to listen to podcasts or your favourite tunes, or to just get out of the house for a bit. If you take public transport, try hopping off a stop earlier and getting to your destination on foot.

2. Don’t bite off more than you can chew

While exercise is important, no one’s expecting you to run a marathon tomorrow! If anything, it’s better to start small. Once you get started, you can increase your activity to a level you feel comfortable. You’ll soon find that your motivation and confidence to exercise grows too!

If you have not been as active as you would like, try setting yourself up for an easy win. That could be a 10-minute walk, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or even just leaving the house for a little while. Even doing a little bit can really boost your mood.

3. Track your action

There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing you’ve made some progress in something you care about. That’s why setting your own challenges is a fantastic way to keep active, because seeing how far we’ve come inspires us to keep going.

Tracking yourself is an awesome way to keep on top of this. For example, you can track the number of steps you take each day with a pedometer (there’s probably one on your phone).

Or you could find a yoga tutorial on YouTube and see how your confidence in your movements increases over time.

If there’s something you’ve been struggling with (like getting enough sleep, managing your mood or building your relationships) why not bump up your exercise level and see what happens? Many people find making a note of their exercise and mood each day is a great way to see how much difference getting moving can make.

4. Bond with your buddies

Getting active is also a great way to socialise. Team up with a mate or a family member by telling them about your plans, then let them know when you’ve smashed out a goal. Better yet, why not organise a challenge together? You’ll have a great time getting fitter and happier with a buddy.

Some days, it just doesn’t happen, and that’s okay too. If you miss a goal, don’t beat yourself up about it. Instead, try another activity – even if it’s small. It’s better than nothing and will help you feel loads better.

“Research shows, regular physical activity and exercise leads to changes in the brain. It improves cognitive function, elevates mood, improves learning and reduces ‘stress chemicals’ like cortisol.”

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

For more information from leading specialists, including readings and interviews, please go to:

There is also valuable information regarding the appropriate amount of exercise for young people, how much exercise is too much and guidance regarding appropriate age for young people training at the gym.

Rachel Smith | College Counsellor