May is Mental Health Awareness Month! This year’s theme is Moving for Mental Health: Exploring Activities to Improve Your Overall Wellbeing.
Physical activity is 1.5 times more effective at alleviating stress, anxiety, and mild depression than taking antidepressant medications. The connection between physical activity and mental health is deeply rooted in the intimate relationship between your mind and body. Exercise influences your mental wellbeing by:
- Elevating your mood
- Reducing stress
- Keeping your mind sharp
- Alleviating mental health symptoms
- Building your resilience
Being active offers numerous benefits for your mental health. In fact, individuals who engage in moderate exercise for 20 minutes a day, five days a week, have a 43% lower risk of major depression compared to non-exercisers.
- Discover activities you enjoy! It could be gardening in the evening, starting your day with a jog, riding a bike, or playing basketball with your children after school.
- Seek assistance from your healthcare provider. They help you set goals, design a plan that fits your capabilities, and offer suggestions tailored to your needs.
- Reframe your thinking. Don’t think of exercise as a chore, but rather as means to improve your overall wellbeing. Anticipate setbacks and obstacles. Keep at it to reap the benefits!
As a reminder, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides a variety of emotional health and wellbeing services and resources for you and your household to improve mental health and wellbeing. Our EAP is available any time, day or night. Click here to explore all mental health resources.