{"id":4700,"date":"2026-10-09T13:27:11","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T12:27:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/?p=4700"},"modified":"2026-09-14T10:07:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T09:07:11","slug":"moving-for-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/2026\/10\/09\/moving-for-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving for Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>When we think about the benefits of being active, we usually think about the physical health benefits first. We know that it will give us stronger muscles and bones, a healthy heart and a lower risk of long-term health conditions. But the mental health benefits of moving deserve just as much attention, because it can have a huge role in how we feel.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research increasingly shows a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/en\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/physical-activity?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">link<\/a> between regular physical activity and better mental wellbeing. Studies also show that higher levels of physical activity are associated with improved moods, better sleep and a lower risk of depression and anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While exercise is not a replacement for professional mental health support, it can be a big part of looking after our mental health and preventing some mental health conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Being active can be as straightforward as walking with friends, gardening at the weekend, cycling with the family, dancing, and taking regular breaks from sitting. The idea of exercise can feel like another thing to squeeze into our busy days, and the intense, competitive nature that&#8217;s often presented can make it feel daunting and exclusive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The way physical activity affects the brain and body can cause a huge positive effect, by releasing chemicals that regulate mood and stress, and moving regularly can improve sleep quality and energy levels. These physical changes influence how we feel, think and cope with everyday challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the benefits are not just physiological. Being active gives a sense of achievement, gives us structure, and gives us a break from work, screens and other life pressures. Being outside, changing our surroundings and focusing on an activity can also provide valuable time to switch off and reset our brains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For lots of us, social connection is another important benefit. Team sport, exercise classes, walking groups and community activities bring people together and create opportunities to build relationships and feel connected to other people. This is closely linked to good mental wellbeing, and taking part in these activities with other people can help reduce loneliness and create a sense of belonging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Messaging about pushing harder, training more or constantly improving can work well for some people, but this can also make moving feel intimidating or inaccessible. If movement is always associated with performance, people could miss out on its wider benefits. So finding a fun activity that fits into everyday life makes it much easier to stay active over time. Whether that means playing a team sport, swimming with friends, going for a lunchtime run, dancing, or walking to work, the important thing is finding something that works for you and is easy to keep up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When we think about the benefits of being active, we usually think about the physical health benefits first. We know that it will give us stronger muscles and bones, a healthy heart and a lower risk of long-term health conditions. But the mental health benefits of moving deserve just as much attention, because it can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":190346150,"featured_media":4702,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\n\n{excerpt}\n\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1378],"tags":[1375],"class_list":["post-4700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-health"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfwlnl-1dO","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4708,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/2026\/03\/09\/movement-wellbeing-and-womens-health\/","url_meta":{"origin":4700,"position":0},"title":"Movement, Wellbeing and Women\u2019s Health\u00a0\u00a0","author":"meganchick1","date":"9th March 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Physical activity\u00a0has\u00a0an important role\u00a0in supporting health and wellbeing throughout\u00a0our\u00a0lives. It can improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles and bones, support mental\u00a0wellbeing\u00a0and reduce the risk of a range of long-term health conditions.\u00a0But\u00a0women\u2019s experiences of physical activity\u00a0often differ from men\u2019s.\u00a0 Biological, social and cultural factors can all influence how women engage with movement,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Blog&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Wordpress-2.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Wordpress-2.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Wordpress-2.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Wordpress-2.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Wordpress-2.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5172,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/2026\/08\/26\/the-health-benefits-of-regular-movement\/","url_meta":{"origin":4700,"position":1},"title":"The Health Benefits of Moving Regularly","author":"meganchick1","date":"26th August 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"If you think that the benefits of physical activity only come from vigorous sport or exercise, fear not, simply moving regularly can be enough to have huge benefits. Walking to the shop, taking the stairs, gardening, playing with the kids, standing up at your desk or meeting a friend for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Blog&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Wordpress.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Wordpress.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Wordpress.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Wordpress.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Wordpress.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":630,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/2024\/02\/09\/experts-continue-working-to-help-shape-a-healthier-way-of-life-across-wales\/","url_meta":{"origin":4700,"position":2},"title":"Experts Continue Working to Help Shape a Healthier Way of Life Across Wales","author":"meganchick1","date":"9th February 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The importance of physical activity for all ages has been highlighted by researchers at Swansea University. As part of\u00a0Welsh Institute of Physical Activity, Health and Sport (WIPAHS),\u00a0researchers at Swansea University have been using their expertise to examine a wide range of issues and their findings are now set to shape\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/WIPAHS-playground-pic-2.webp?fit=1200%2C567&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/WIPAHS-playground-pic-2.webp?fit=1200%2C567&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/WIPAHS-playground-pic-2.webp?fit=1200%2C567&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/WIPAHS-playground-pic-2.webp?fit=1200%2C567&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/WIPAHS-playground-pic-2.webp?fit=1200%2C567&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5265,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/2026\/09\/10\/national-fitness-day-getting-people-moving\/","url_meta":{"origin":4700,"position":3},"title":"National Fitness Day: Getting people moving","author":"meganchick1","date":"10th September 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"16th September 2026 is National Fitness Day, a reminder that being active doesn\u2019t have to mean going to the gym, running a 10K or playing competitive sport. For some people, it might mean a walk with a friend, joining a local friendly team, trying something new or finding a way\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Blog&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Wordpress-1-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4378,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/2026\/04\/15\/a-community-approach-to-brain-health\/","url_meta":{"origin":4700,"position":4},"title":"A Community Approach to Brain Health","author":"meganchick1","date":"15th April 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"During Dementia Action Week, communities across Wales will come together to raise awareness and inspire action. In Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, this is being brought to life through a partnership between Dementia Friendly Swansea and NISH, turning awareness into meaningful and practical support with a series of drop-in events.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Blog&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Wordpress-2.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Wordpress-2.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Wordpress-2.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Wordpress-2.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Wordpress-2.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5070,"url":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/2026\/07\/17\/managing-movement-safely-in-a-heatwave\/","url_meta":{"origin":4700,"position":5},"title":"Managing Movement Safely in a Heatwave","author":"meganchick1","date":"17th July 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"With the scorching summer we've been having so far, adapting how we move and stay active is a super important public health consideration. We don't need to stop exercising, but maybe need to be more mindful about how and when we do it. Moving regularly is one of the most\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Blog&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Wordpress.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Wordpress.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Wordpress.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Wordpress.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Wordpress.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nish.wales\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Wordpress-1.png?fit=1200%2C628&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/190346150"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4700"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4700\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5317,"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4700\/revisions\/5317"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4702"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}