Digital Tool

Exercise For Mental Health

As an intervention for depression and anxiety, physical exercise has demonstrated moderate to large effect sizes. This handout helps clients understand how exercise aids mental health and provides practical guidance to get started.

Interactive and mobile-friendly
Assign securely to clients
Review client submissions
Psychology Tools resource: Exercise For Mental Health

Exercise For Mental Health

Physical exercise has been shown to improve people's mood. This Exercise For Mental Health resource explains why exercise is helpful and offers practical suggestions for becoming more active.

Overview

Regular physical activity can support mental health by enhancing mood, reducing stress, improving sleep, and fostering greater self-esteem and energy. Exercise also offers a constructive way to shift attention away from distressing thoughts and build a sense of agency. This resource equips clinicians with practical tools to initiate meaningful conversations about exercise and to guide clients in making it a regular part of their self-care routines.

Also available as:

PDF Tool

Use this tool with your clients

Support therapeutic work between sessions.

Assign

Send the tool securely to your client.

Client completes

Your client works through it on any device, at their own pace.

Review

Review their responses before the next session.

Part of a complete library of evidence-based tools

Worksheets, guides, audio resources and interactive digital tools for mental health professionals.

Explore all tools