Get active for mental wellbeing

Being active is great for your physical health and fitness. But evidence shows that it can also improve your mental wellbeing.

We think that the mind and body are separate. But what you do with your body can have a powerful effect on your mental wellbeing.

Mental wellbeing means feeling good – both about yourself and about the world around you. It means being able to get on with life in the way that you want.

Evidence shows that there is a link between being physically active and good mental wellbeing. That makes being active one of the five evidence-based steps we can all take to improve our mental wellbeing. Read more about the five steps for mental wellbeing.

Being active doesn’t mean you need to spend hours in the gym, if that doesn't appeal to you. Find physical activities that you enjoy and think about how to fit more of them into your daily life.

How physical activity can help your mental wellbeing

Scientists think that physical activity helps maintain and improve wellbeing in a number of ways.

Physical activity can help people with mild depression. Evidence shows that it can also help protect people against depression and anxiety.

Physical activity is thought to cause chemical changes in the brain, which can help to positively change our mood.

Some scientists think that being active can help improve wellbeing because it brings about a sense of greater self-esteem, self-control and the ability to rise to a challenge.

How you can get more active

If you want to get active, think about physical activity in the broadest sense.

It can help to read the physical activity guidelines for adults.

Adults aged 19 and over should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity – such as fast walking or cycling – a week.

Find activities that you enjoy, then make them a part of your life.

There's lots of information and advice on NHS Choices to help you get active.

• Find activity ideas in Get fit for free.
• Start running with our Couch to 5K podcasts.
• Find activities that are right for you with our interactive Sport and fitness tool.
• Find out how to start running, swimming, cycling and dancing in Exercise: getting started.
• There is lots more information and advice on getting active in Health and fitness.

More actions for mental wellbeing

There are other steps you can take to improve your mental wellbeing. Find out more about the five steps for mental wellbeing.

Or learn more about the other four steps for mental wellbeing:

• Connect for mental wellbeing
• Be aware for mental wellbeing
• Give for mental wellbeing
• Learn for mental wellbeing