What Does Exercise Do For The Mind And Body?

What Does Exercise Do For The Mind And Body? is an information handout explaining the mental health benefits of exercise and how to get started.

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Professional version

Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Client version

Includes client-friendly guidance. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Editable version (PPT)

An editable Microsoft PowerPoint version of the resource.

Overview

Exercise is an evidence-based treatment for depression and anxiety and research suggests that in the treatment of depression, exercise interventions lead to a treatment effects of a similar magnitude to other established forms of treatment such as CBT and medication. There is evidence from multiple research studies that 'prescription of exercise' or 'motivational messages in printed form or by computer' are more effective than verbal discussion in helping clients to initiate exercise.

What Does Exercise Do For The Mind And Body? is an information handout designed for clients who are considering exercising. It presents information about exercise and mental health, reasons why exercise has beneficial effects upon mental health, and advice about how to get started.

Why Use This Resource?

Exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on people's physical and mental health:

  • Explains the links between health and exercise.
  • Outlines the physical and psychological benefits of regular physical activity.
  • Encourages and empowers clients to become more active.

Key Benefits

Informative

Describes how exercise supports mental health.

Motivating

Highlights the benefits of regular exercise.

Accessible

Easy to read and suitable for a wide range of clients.

Who is this for?

Depression

Encourages activity to help lift low mood.

Anxiety

Promotes regular exercise to ease anxious symptoms.

Sleep Problems

Supports better sleep through physical activity.

Integrating it into your practice

01

Introduce

Start a conversation about the value of exercise.

02

Discuss

Use the resource to highlight key benefits of being active.

03

Collaborate

Create a simple and realistic plan together.

04

Review

Review progress, address obstacles, and highlight improvements.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

Exercise is an evidence-based treatment for depression and anxiety. For example, there is evidence to suggest that in the treatment of depression exercise interventions lead to a treatment effect with a magnitude of effect similar to other established forms of treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication (Johnsen & Fribog, 2015; Kirsch et al, 2008; Kvam et al, 2016).

What Does Exercise Do For The Mind And Body? is an information handout presenting facts about the health benefits of exercise. It is designed as a guide for clients who are contemplating exercising, and there is evidence from multiple research studies that “exercise prescription or motivational messages in printed form or by computer are more effective than face-to-face counselling alone” (Richardson et al, 2005).

What's inside

  • An introduction to the resource and the benefits of exercise.
  • Therapist guidance and suggestions for using the resource.
  • Key references and recommended further reading.
Get access to this resource

FAQs

Introduce alongside discussions of lifestyle changes that might be beneficial.
Explore barriers, problem-solve obstacles, and work collaboratively to set achievable exercise goals.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

Introducing this resource as part of a treatment plan can lead to:

  • Increased activity amongst clients.
  • Improvements in mood and sleep.
  • Reduced levels of stress and anxiety.
  • Greater sense of achievement and self-efficacy.

References And Further Reading

  • Budde, H., & Wegner, M. (Eds.). (2018). The Exercise Effect on Mental Health: Neurobiological Mechanisms. CRC Press.
  • Johnsen, T. J., & Friborg, O. (2015). The effects of cognitive behavioral therapy as an anti-depressive treatment is falling: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 141(4), 747.
  • Kirsch, I., Deacon, B. J., Huedo-Medina, T. B., Scoboria, A., Moore, T. J., & Johnson, B. T. (2008). Initial severity and antidepressant benefits: a meta-analysis of data submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. PLoS medicine, 5(2), e45.
  • Kvam, S., Kleppe, C. L., Nordhus, I. H., & Hovland, A. (2016). Exercise as a treatment for depression: a meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 202, 67-86.
  • Richardson, C. R., Faulkner, G., McDevitt, J., Skrinar, G. S., Hutchinson, D. S., & Piette, J. D. (2005). Integrating physical activity into mental health services for persons with serious mental illness. Psychiatric Services, 56(3), 324-331.