Wave Leisure highlights the importance of physical activity on mental health

Last Sunday (10 October) was Mental Health Awareness Day and Wave Leisure Trust is highlighting the importance of regular physical activity to help maintain or improve wellbeing, and to help manage mental health conditions.

It is estimated that 1 in 4 people in England experience mental and emotional health problems each year, with an additional 1 in 6 experiencing ‘common’ mental health problems each week[1], such as stress and anxiety.

The recent pandemic has heightened mental health problems in adults, with a number of people contacting the NHS for mental health support at an all-time high[2]. Additionally, 1.4 million older people are experiencing loneliness[3] as a result of the pandemic.

Wave Leisure offers mental health first aid training aimed at providing learners with the knowledge to identify, understand and help someone who may be experiencing a mental health problem. These skills will help to start conversations and signpost individuals towards professional help.

Additionally, it offers 23 weekly timetabled sessions specifically designed for older people to help combat loneliness and to boost physical activity.

Recent studies show that there is up to 30% lower risk of depression and dementia in adults that participate in daily physical activity[4], as well as helping to improve self-esteem, boost brainpower and decrease stress.

Duncan Kerr, CEO at Wave Leisure Trust said: “At Wave Leisure we are equally committed to improving an individual’s mental health as we are to physical health. We are continuing to develop programmes to encourage people to be more active and to help improve their mental wellbeing.”

Wave Leisure work with GPs and other health professionals to provide a number of different programmes to help improve mental health. This varies from tailored one to one support, to group referral sessions.

Darrell Gale, Director of Public Health for East Sussex said: “Looking after your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and as we all know, exercise has multiple mental health benefits. It releases endorphins, relieves tension and helps to boost both physical and mental energy.”

Wave Leisure Trust has 15 sites across Sussex including Peacehaven, Newhaven, Lewes, Seaford, Eastbourne and East Grinstead. For more information about memberships at Wave Leisure Trust, please visit www.waveleisure.co.uk or email info@waveleisure.co.uk.