It’s well known that exercise can lift your mood.
Recent research from the Black Dog Institute has even found that just one hour of exercise a week can help prevent up to 12% of future cases of depression.
We know that not everyone is out there working up a sweat – in fact, it’s estimated that only 19% of Australians between 5 and 17 years old are getting the recommended amount of exercise.
We want to encourage everyone, including young people, to get moving and make the most of the mental and physical benefits of exercise.
30th April to 6th May 2018 is national Exercise Your Mood week, putting the call out to all Australians to think about their hour of weekly exercise ( minimum) to boost their mental and physical health!
The Black Dog Institute is a medical research institute and world leader in translational mental health research.
The Black Dog Institute encourages Australians of all ages to seek help for mental health concerns, so that one day it’s as commonplace as reaching out for help with their physical health.
Evidence suggests that regular exercise can also be an effective strategy for people living with mental illness.
1 hour every week is a small ask – it only takes up 0.06% of the week!
If we encourage all young Australians to get involved, we can change behaviour so that we are exercising for both physical AND mental health.
For young people who aren’t physically active, exercise may help to give their mental health a boost.
Pat Langtry (Director of Pastoral Care)