Pastoral Wellbeing 

A resource from BeYou- a wellbeing resource for young people and their carers.

Physical activity and mental health and wellbeing.

Regular physical activity is great for children and young people’s healthy development and their mental health and wellbeing.

How can regular exercise affect mental health and wellbeing?

Physical activity can support many aspects of child and adolescent development, including mental health and wellbeing, social and emotional skills, as well as physical

development of motor skills.

Physical activity helps:

• regulate mood.

• promote sleep – which also helps regulate moods, increase energy levels and improves memory and learning.

• improve memory and learning capacity.

• pump blood to the brain to boost mood, concentration and alertness.

• promote relaxation by reducing tension

• provide children and young people with an outlet for excess energy and frustration.

• provide an opportunity for children and young people to socialise and meet new people, reducing loneliness and isolation.

• improve motor and cognitive skills, which can boost self-esteem.

• distract children and young people from unhelpful thoughts.

These benefits also serve to improve classroom behaviour and promote a more positive learning environment.