Mental Health and Exercise: How Longevity Exercise Physiology Can Help You Feel Stronger Inside and Out
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or struggling with low mood? Finding it hard to stay motivated or get through the day?
You’re not alone. Almost one in five Australian adults experience a mental health condition in any given year, with anxiety and depression being the most common. The connection between physical activity and mental wellbeing is now backed by some of the strongest evidence in health research, and exercise is increasingly recognised as a powerful tool for both prevention and treatment.
At Longevity Exercise Physiology, we understand that mental health is just as important as physical health. Our personalised, clinically guided exercise programs are designed to support your mood, build your confidence, and help you feel like yourself again.
Understanding Mental Health
Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act in everyday life. Mental health conditions range from common experiences like anxiety and depression through to more complex conditions, and they can affect anyone regardless of age, background, or lifestyle.
Common Mental Health Conditions
- Anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety, social anxiety, and panic disorder
- Depression and persistent low mood
- Stress related conditions, including burnout and adjustment disorders
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Eating disorders
Mental Health in Australia: The Numbers
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and the ABS National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, an estimated 4.3 million Australians aged 16 to 85 (22% of the population) experienced a mental disorder in a 12 month period, and 8.5 million (43%) have experienced one at some point in their lifetime. Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent, affecting 3.4 million people, followed by affective disorders such as depression. Beyond Blue reports that 4.5 million Australian adults are experiencing mental health impacts significant enough to reduce their work or daily activities. Young adults aged 16 to 24 are disproportionately affected, with nearly 39% experiencing a 12 month mental disorder.
If you’ve been struggling with your mental health, keep reading to learn how the right exercise program can make a real difference to how you feel!
Benefits of Exercise for Mental Health
The evidence for exercise as a mental health intervention has never been stronger. A landmark 2024 network meta analysis published in the BMJ, analysing 218 randomised controlled trials, found that exercise was as effective as psychotherapy and antidepressant medication for treating major depressive disorder. A 2026 meta meta analysis in the British Journal of Sports Medicine confirmed that exercise significantly reduces both depression and anxiety symptoms across all age groups, with benefits comparable to or exceeding traditional treatments.
Here’s how exercise supports your mental health:
- Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety through the release of endorphins and regulation of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine
- Improves sleep quality, which is closely linked to mood and emotional regulation
- Reduces stress and lowers cortisol levels
- Builds self esteem and confidence through physical achievement and progress
- Provides structure, routine, and a sense of purpose
- Creates opportunities for social connection, particularly in supervised or group settings
- Supports cognitive function, including concentration, memory, and mental clarity
How Longevity Exercise Physiology Can Help
At Longevity Exercise Physiology, our Accredited Exercise Physiologists understand the relationship between physical activity and mental health. We create safe, supportive, and individualised exercise programs that meet you where you are, whether you’re managing a diagnosed condition or simply looking for a way to feel better day to day.
Our mental health exercise programs may include:
- Aerobic exercise to boost mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Resistance training to build physical and mental resilience
- Mindfulness based movement including walking and gentle mobility work
- Graded, progressive programming that builds confidence without overwhelming you
- Goal setting and regular progress tracking to reinforce a sense of achievement
- A consistent, supportive relationship with your exercise physiologist
Flexible session options:
- Gym based 1:1 supervised sessions
- Outdoor exercise sessions
- Home visits
- Telehealth consultations
What sets Longevity apart is our individualised, 1:1 supervised approach. Our exercise physiologists work alongside your GP, psychologist, or psychiatrist to ensure a coordinated plan that complements your broader mental health care. We don’t just prescribe exercise. We walk alongside you, providing encouragement, structure, and accountability.
Longevity Exercise Physiology has helped hundreds of clients across Australia use exercise as a tool to improve their mental health, build resilience, and reconnect with a sense of purpose and wellbeing.
Additional Tips for Supporting Your Mental Health
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week, but remember that any movement is better than none
- Prioritise sleep by maintaining a consistent routine and limiting screen time before bed
- Stay socially connected with friends, family, or community groups
- Practice stress management through activities you enjoy, whether that’s walking, reading, or spending time in nature
- Limit alcohol intake, which can worsen anxiety and disrupt sleep
- Reach out for professional support when you need it, whether through your GP, a psychologist, or a helpline like Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) or Lifeline (13 11 14)
Getting Started with Longevity Exercise Physiology
Looking after your mental health isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about taking small, consistent steps that add up over time.
If you’re looking for guidance that’s personalised, practical, and built around your life, we’re here to help.
Claim your FREE 15 minute phone consultation.
Call us at Longevity Exercise Physiology Ascot Vale, Aspley, Broadbeach, Casey, Castle Hill, Coburg, Deagon, Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Five Dock, Gladesville, Gungahlin, Kingsgrove, Liverpool, Macarthur Campbelltown, 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 Aiden Frai (Intern)
References
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2025). Mental Health: Prevalence and Impact of Mental Illness. https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/overview/prevalence-and-impact-of-mental-illness
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (2023). National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020–2022. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release
- Beyond Blue (2025). Trends in Mental Health and Support Seeking: Australia’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Check. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/about/media/media-releases/New-data-reveals-people-are-highly-distressed-when-seeking-support
- Noetel M, Sanders T, Gallardo Gómez D, et al. (2024). Effect of exercise for depression: systematic review and network meta analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ, 384, e075847. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38355154/
- Munro NR, Teague S, Somoray K, et al. (2026). Effect of exercise on depression and anxiety symptoms: systematic umbrella review with meta meta analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, bjsports 2025 110301. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41667154/
- Schuch FB, Vancampfort D, Richards J, et al. (2016). Exercise as a treatment for depression: A meta analysis adjusting for publication bias. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 77, 42–51. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26978184/