Whatever your ability, participating in regular exercise can lead to increased mental health and wellbeing and reduces the risk of developing other health conditions like heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
Physical activity can increase motivation and focus, reduce tension, anxiety, stress and mental fatigue, boost self esteem and confidence, and improve sleep. For more information, please visit Every Mind Matters.
Wolverhampton has 2 parkruns - in West Park and East Park - while there are outdoor gyms which are free to use and available in 25 parks and green spaces around the city.
Meanwhile, activities such as yoga and Tai-Chi are great for all ages and abilities and can help relieve stress, depression and anxiety, and walking groups such as Ramblers Wellbeing Walks Wolverhampton encourage social interactions as well providing low intensity exercise which helps towards the recommended 10,000 steps per day.
Jolly Joggers offers a free 12 week programme designed to improve people’s mental health and wellbeing through exercise. The next session is due to start in January - find out more at Black Country Mental Health and register by emailing enquiries@blackcountrymentalhealth.org.uk.
People can also incorporate fitness into their routine while at work, for instance by taking stairs instead of the lift, going for a walk at lunchtime, getting off the bus one stop earlier and walking the final part of the journey, doing some gentle exercise, like stretching, before leaving in the morning, and walking to someone’s desk instead of calling or emailing.
John Denley, Wolverhampton's Director of Public Health, said: "Physical activity is not only good for your body, but it's also great for your mind, and there are plenty of ways in which you can incorporate either light or slightly more demanding workouts into your daily routine."
If you are having a difficult time or are worried about someone else, you are not alone - and there are lots of options for support:
- If you need urgent help with your mental health or you are struggling to cope, call NHS 111 and select option 2 (mental health option) to be connected to your local mental health support team, or text 07860 025 281
- Your doctor or GP is there to help you with your mental health as well as your physical health
- Wolverhampton Sanctuary Hub offers out of hours support - book a face to face appointment for by calling freephone 0808 802 2288, texting 07860 065 168 or emailing wolverhamptonsanctuaryhub@rethink.org
- Wolverhampton NHS Talking Therapies offers psychological therapy for people experiencing common mental health problems including anxiety, depression, stress and low mood
- Visit Hub of Hope to find local support that’s right for you.
If you need someone to talk to, contact:
- SANE - call 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm to 10.30pm)
- Samaritans – call 116 123
- Rethink Mental Illness – call 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
- Mind – call 0300 123 3393.
World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10 October. This year, the theme was 'prioritising mental health in the workplace'.
