During this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, West Sussex County Council will be encouraging people to work on their physical wellness in order to improve their mental health. This year’s campaign, which runs from May 13th -19th, will revolve around the theme of physical activity and exercise, highlighting the impact these have on mental health and wellbeing.
You’re often taught that physical activity is something you “ought to do” to avoid developing physical health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. However, exercise has a huge potential it has to enhance your happiness and quality of life, and to reduce common mental illnesses such as depression. This is the message that the Mental Health Foundation, who have organised this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, aims to promote; physical activity is something you can choose to do to increase your wellbeing.
The list of benefits that exercise brings almost seems to be limitless. If you’re active, you’re more likely to enjoy life, be healthy, meet more people and make new friends, relax and sleep well, combat anxiety and depression, maintain independence and the ability to move easily by keeping your muscles working well and rely less on others to help with everyday living. According to Amanda Rogers, West Sussex County Council’s adults’ service director, ‘Our colleagues in the NHS say there is “no health without mental health” and this is true. People experiencing anxiety and depression can take steps to feel better, and benefit their physical health at the same time.’
So what will West Sussex County Council be doing to support the aim of the mental health awareness week? The Reaching Rio project will encourages adults to take up more physical activity, while the Big White Wall (www.bigwhitewall.com) is an online support service on emotional wellbeing and improving mental health. Each local Wellbeing service now has Physical Activity Coordinators who can help you to discover new activities and set fitness goals. However, if you want to get active by yourself or as a family, West Sussex County Council also provides lots of information on local walking and cycling routes, as well as sustainable travel options and public transport if you decide to take a family activity day further a field.
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