Breaking the Silence: How Exercise Can Save Men’s Lives
44, Every week.
That’s the number of Men that tragically take their own life in the great nation we call home.
From high profile sports figures, to your next door neighbour, maybe even yourself, mental illness affects everyone, although in particular it disproportionately affects Men. It doesn’t discriminate. And to put it politely, it’s simply terrible.
1 in 4 Australian men will experience mental illness in their lifetime. Most commonly, mental illness presents as Anxiety and/or Depression but has a wide range of other presentations from mood disorders such as Borderline Personality Disorder, through to substance abuse disorders. Data from the Australian Institute of Family Studies presents a more troubling picture. That the vast majority of Australian Men with Mental Illness will not seek help from a mental health professional.
Personally, having both witnessed and personally experienced firsthand the hardships of Mental Illness between close friends and colleagues. I, like too many other Australians, unfortunately have a good understanding of just how vicious Mental Illness is. Not only for the individual suffering, but further rippling out from the epicenter to the individual’s family, friends and support network around them. As a cause that is very near and dear to my heart personally, it gives me great pride to know that my future practice as an Exercise Physiologist is going to continue to fight the good fight and help those clients of mine that may be battling find a way through.
However, a literal truckload of science from over the course of the last 15 years suggests 1 thing, that exercise can be used as one of the most powerful tools to alleviate and in some cases completely eradicate Mental Illness.
Without getting caught in the weeds of chemicals and hormones released in your brain and body through exercise, as Exercise Physiologists we know that Physical Activity has been shown to be 1.5 times more effective at reducing mild-to-moderate symptoms of depression than medication. The simple fact is that when we move better we feel better. The team at Longevity Exercise Physiology have been using this science and World Class Exercise Physiology to curate 1-on-1 personalised exercise sessions for thousands of their clients. Assisting them in their health journey to become the healthiest, happiest version of themselves.
Join us on your journey to improve your mental health or perhaps refer someone you know that could use our help. Discover how our personalized exercise prescription can make a difference in your life.
Ready to take the first step toward increasing your fitness and lifespan? Call Longevity Exercise Physiology Ascot Vale, Burwood, Casey, Castle Hill, Coburg, Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Five Dock, Gladesville, Gungahlin, Kingsgrove, Liverpool, Macarthur Campbelltown, Macarthur Tindall, Marrickville, Neutral Bay, Penrith, Pymble, Pyrmont, Randwick, Rhodes, Rosebery, Springfield, Yamanto today on 1300 964 002 to book your personalised session or a 15-minute free phone consultation.
Written by Denzil Noack