mental health

Active bodies, healthy minds

Discover how getting active benefits your mental health.

An aerial view of a person walking in a snow-covered park

Why mental health is so important

Mental health is a state of well-being that includes your thoughts, emotions, how connected you feel to others, and the ability to deal with life’s ups and downs. Being mentally healthy can improve your coping skills, self-esteem and resiliency, encouraging you to form healthy relationships and positively interact with your community.

Mental health is not just the absence of a mental illness. Poor mental health can result in mental illness, but having a mental illness does not mean you cannot achieve good mental health. It’s possible for a person without a mental illness to have poor mental health and for someone with a mental illness to have great mental health.

The state of mental health in Canada

Every year, one in five people will face a mental health issue or illness.
Around half of the population will have or have had a mental illness by age 40.
In any given year, 10.6% of the population over age 15 will meet criteria for a mood or anxiety disorder.
20.7% of the adult population has experienced a diagnosed substance use disorder in their lifetime.

A woman sitting cross-legged on a couch while holding a pillow.

How physical activity benefits mental health

When you get active, your body and brain release endorphins, dopamine and serotonin – natural feel-good chemicals that reduce feelings of pain and increase feelings of pleasure, literally boosting your mood!
Within just five minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, you’re likely to experience mood-enhancing effects.
Getting the recommended 150 minutes of heart-pumping physical activity per week reduces the levels of stress hormones – cortisol and adrenaline – circulating in your body.
Physical activity can help reduce physical tension, improve your ability to cope with stressful situations, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and even increase self-esteem and feelings of self-worth.
Research shows that physically active people are more satisfied with their lives and that exercise itself is strongly linked to happiness.

All of the above makes physical activity an essential part of your mental health toolkit!

Learn more about the mental health benefits from our experts

Dr. Markus Duncan

PhD Kinesiology

Dr. Leigh Vanderloo

PhD Exercise Science

5 tips to help you move for your mind

Pick activities you enjoy

Whether it’s walking, wheeling, jogging, swimming, dancing, yoga or sports, do activities that truly bring you joy, because the best types of physical activity for mental health are the ones that you’ll stick with.

Get active outdoors

Studies show that exposure to nature is linked to many benefits, including lower stress levels, boosted moods and even upticks in empathy and cooperation. Going on a short walk, wheel or jog during your lunch break is an excellent way to start.

Use physical activity as a stress-relieving tool

Whenever you feel anxious or stressed, try going for a walk, wheel or jog around the block, or engage in a relaxing yoga session. Getting active can not only act as a temporary distraction but also be a great way to clear your head and decrease tension.

Make physical activity a habit

Consistency is the key to reaping the mental health benefits of physical activity. Try sneaking movement into your daily or weekly schedule and make an effort to follow through with these appointments to help make it a habit.

Make it social

Join group fitness classes, sports teams, walking groups or online communities where you can connect with like-minded people who are interested in physical activity. Like movement, social interaction and connection makes your body release additional feel-good chemicals that can help you further boost your mood and feel less isolated.