In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, the Public Health Agency (PHA) urged people across Northern Ireland to get active in a bid to improve their emotional wellness. The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, which ran from 13-19 May, was physical activity and exercise, and the PHA highlighted the positive impact that physical activity can have on your mental health and wellbeing.
According to Madeline Heaney, Regional Lead for Mental Health and Wellbeing at the PHA, ‘Being physically active is not only good for your body, but also for your mind. Taking part in exercise releases chemicals in the brain that can improve your mood and make you feel good. Being more active and getting out and about is not only enjoyable, but can be a way of meeting people which in turn is good for mental health and can also build confidence.’
Madeline Heaney outlined, ‘Benefits of physical activity also include a reduction in stress, anxiety, frustration and anger. Those who exercise more will get a natural energy boost and as a result of the exercise are more likely to have an increased appetite and to get a better night’s sleep.’ She added, ‘Regular physical activity promotes good mental health and can improve your mood, reduce anxiety and protect against depression. The summer months are the perfect opportunity to get more active whether that is going for a walk, cycling or playing sports.’
It is recommended that adults should take 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days, but obviously this can be a daunting task if you do no exercise at all. If you are just getting started, you should build up your levels of activity gradually – working at a pace that suits you. Madeline Heaney noted, ‘Physical activity can be introduced into everyday life such as walking the kids to school, leaving the car at home for short journeys and taking the stairs instead of the lift at work.’
She continued, ‘One of the easiest ways to get active is by going walking – it can be done at your own pace, is completely free, and most of all, is enjoyable.’ Madeline Heaney concluded by saying, ‘It can be daunting making changes to your life, but support from family, friends and health professionals can help if you want to improve your mental health.’
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