For avid runner Izzy Murphy-Farley, joy can be found in a cute gym outfit and a pair of running shoes.
For Murphy-Farley, being active helps her feel more connected to herself and helps regulate her emotions.
“The problems that are beyond me fizzle away in those 60 minutes of working out,” she said.
Murphy-Farley’s experience reflects a broader relationship between physical activity and mental wellbeing.
Studies have linked regular physical activity with improvements in mood and mental wellbeing, although the mechanisms behind these benefits are complex.
The OurFutures Institute has highlighted research finding an association between regular physical activity and fewer symptoms of mental health disorders among adolescents.
Exercise doesn’t have to be gruelling to be beneficial. Even a short walk can support mental wellbeing, while regular physical activity may also help with concentration and engagement at school.
The benefit of exercise extends far further than simply changing a person’s mood
Schools are becoming an increasingly important part in supporting mental health and wellbeing.
Teachers see firsthand how stress, anxiety and low mood can affect students, as well as how physical activity can help them engage with learning.
As a Learning Support Assistant in a secondary school, Suzanna Hampton said that she can notice when a student has engaged in physical activity.
“When a kid comes back from PE, their ability to engage and pay attention skyrockets.”
Witnessing this first-hand, Hampton can see that exercise can help those students struggling to engage with schoolwork. She believes that encouraging students to become active, whether it be in PE lessons, or outside of school, can be an effective way of supporting their mental wellbeing.
“The accessibility of being active looks different for every student, but it is an important step to encourage when I see a young person struggling,” said Hampton.
Should exercise be considered a replacement for medication?
Both Murphy-Farley and Hampton see exercise as a useful way to manage stress and difficult emotions, rather than a replacement for prescribed medication or professional support.
“Just because you are exercising, it doesn’t mean that every other way to cope is bad or wrong,” said Hampton.
Murphy-Farley states exercise is now part of her identity. What began as a way to spend time with her dad has turned into an activity that helps her feel good not only physically, but mentally as well.
“Exercise is ingrained into my identity and some of my best relationships are built on running, the gym, and even just going on walks”
While exercise can support mental wellbeing, it should not be seen as a replacement for professional mental health care or prescribed medication. Instead, physical activity can be another tool for managing stress and supporting emotional wellbeing.
Jai Doherty
I am a Dual Degree Global Communications and Media student from the University of Portsmouth. I'm studying here at ECU for a year to help further my studies.
