Get physical to protect your mental wellbeing
Find out how getting active can help to improve your mental health
It’s estimated that one in four people will experience a mental health issue each year. We all have mental health, just like we all have physical health – it’s equally important that you know how to look after it and how to ask for help if you need it.
Please watch and share our short film. We hope it encourages more people, who may find themselves in similar situations as the people in the film, to seek out physical activity to protect and improve their mental health.
The power of physical activity
Physical activity has been proven to decrease stress hormones, like cortisol, along with increasing endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. When endorphins are released through physical activity, they help to naturally boost your mood. As well as endorphins, physical activity helps release adrenaline, serotonin and dopamine – all of which combine to make you feel naturally good.
Alongside this, being physically active gives you the chance to meet new people. You can build strong relationships which help you feel happier, more secure and included in your community. Most importantly, though, you can improve your ability to maintain good mental wellbeing.
If you’re looking to start getting active and boost your mental wellbeing, Edinburgh Leisure is on hand to help you make those first steps.
Looking for some help to be active?
If want a little help to be more active, we can show you how.
Healthy Active Minds
A programme focussing on using physical activity to improve the wellbeing of those living with depression, stress or anxiety. Participants can enjoy activities such as walking, swimming, the gym and fitness classes.
Movement for Memories
Movement for Memories is designed to help people living with early, early on-set and mild-to-moderate dementia get active. Activities include swimming, the gym, golf, tennis and fitness classes.
Get Active
Our programmes help people to get active, stay active and achieve more. Whether you’re interested in fitness classes, dancing, walking or even gardening, we’ve got an activity which could be perfectly suited to you.
Why Edinburgh Leisure cares about your wellbeing
Edinburgh Leisure is passionate about the positive impact physical activity has on people’s physical, mental and social wellbeing. Which is why as an independent charity we are on a mission to help people lead more active, healthy lives. With 30 citywide venues, we’re the largest provider of physical activity and sport in Edinburgh, offering a range of activities suitable for all ages and stages.
Our Active Communities Programme harnesses the power of physical activity and sport to tackle inequalities and combat the effects of inactivity. Each year we provide support to improve the lives of 10,000 people who face the greatest barriers to getting active, including those affected by health conditions, disabilities, inequalities and poverty.
Help us to help more people
Help support our Active Communities Programme to ensure our specialist team can provide people with the help and support they need to protect their health and wellbeing.
Volunteer with us
Last year, 370 volunteers gave a staggering 12,000 hours of their time to give people and communities the support they need to be active through our Active Communities Programme. They make an enormous difference to people’s lives and, quite simply, many of our projects couldn’t exist without them. If you love being active, enjoy working with others or have a passion for physical activity and sport, then why not consider volunteering with us? You could make a tremendous difference, not just to the lives of the people and communities we support but to your own life, too.
Download Our App
Why not download our FREE mobile app. Booking fitness classes, courts and golf tee times has never been faster! Available now for Apple and Android devices.
