Mental Illness and Exercise

Movement is good for the body, spirit and mind. Activity and exercise are very important for people living with mental illness. Individuals living with mental illness often have a higher risk for heart disease, and exercise can play a key part in a wellness plan. Activity and exercise are great ways to combat factors that are part of heart disease risk, stress, high blood pressure, weight gain and diabetes -- all problems commonly found among people living with mental illness. Learn more about mental illness and exercise.

Steps for Success

Movement of any kind can be very beneficial. If you have any medical conditions, including joint or bone disease, be sure to talk with your health care provider about your exercise program, recommended level of activity and any modifications you may need to make. Follow our steps to form your own exercise routine.

Exercising on a Budget

Exercise doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive. You don’t need a gym membership to go on a light jog or a walk with a friend. As long as you get up and do something, your body will thank you for it.

Everyday Exercise

Fun, low cost fitness tips and ideas you can use to help make exercise a part of your daily routine.

Staying Motivated

Everyone loses motivation from time to time, and there are some days when you just don't feel like exercising at all. It's important to keep you routine up, however, so here are some options for when you need some extra incentive.

Remember that exercise isn't limited to your home, the gym or long walks and jogs.

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Meet Lisa

Exercise is central to my mental health. As a person living with schizophrenia, stress exacerbates my illness, worsening my symptoms such as hallucinations and paranoia. Exercise counteracts the stress, enabling me to see issues clearly, reality test, and judge things more accurately.

Fitness also takes me out of my isolated apartment and into the community. As I interact with people at the gym or along outdoor walks, my torturous inner-voices subside as my mind is distracted by the exercise and more at peace. I began exercising as a competitive runner long before I became ill – and two lessons I learned from those early days that have stayed with me throughout my decade-long struggle with schizophrenia are: "a winner never quits and a quitter never wins" and "there is no finish line."

Lisa Halpern, MPP, CPRP, CPS
Lives with Schizophrenia
Director of Recovery Services, Vinfen Corporation

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