Maintaining good mental health and wellbeing is essential for overall quality of life, however people living with disabilities often face unique challenges that can significantly impact their mental wellbeing, such as
- social isolation, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection;
- reduced confidence, which can affect self-esteem and overall wellbeing;
- physical impairments that limit daily activities and independence;
- and psychosocial disabilities that impact mental wellbeing and daily life.
The link between exercise and improved mental wellbeing
Research has consistently shown a strong connection between physical activity and mental wellbeing as regular exercise can
- Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Improve mood and self-esteem
- Enhance cognitive function
- Promote better sleep
- Reduce stress levels
The role of exercise physiologists in supporting mental wellbeing
Exercise physiologists (EPs) are university qualified allied health professionals who specialise in providing exercise and advice to support wellbeing and independence.
They support people recovering from injury and NDIS participants living with a wide variety of disabilities by giving them the knowledge, skills and strategies to manage their condition, perform daily activities, and achieve their health goals.
More specifically, EPs create programs that can
- Enhance physical function: Improving physical abilities, reducing limitations, and promoting independence.
- Boost confidence through the achievement of exercise milestones and health goals.
- Promote social interaction: Encouraging group exercise or community-based activities combat social isolation.
To achieve the best outcomes, Better Rehab’s EPs focus on:
- Personalised and safe exercise prescription that considers an individual’s limitations, goals, and abilities and gradually progresses the program to build confidence and capability.
- Working within limits: empowering people to work within their limits can promote achievable progress and build confidence through achievable goals. EPs also adapt exercises to accommodate fluctuations in energy and provide tips on how to recognise when to take breaks from exercise.
- Developing routines and sustainable behaviours to help continue participation in exercise and other physical activities and foster healthy eating habits.
How Exercise Physiology Supports Mental Wellbeing
Exercise physiologists can play a vital role in supporting mental wellbeing through
- Combating isolation: Exercise give participants the physical strength, stamina and confidence to get out and about, participate in social activities, group exercise programs, and regularly exercise outdoors, perhaps in their local gym or park. This not only provides physical benefits but creates opportunities for social interaction and peer support.
- Building confidence: By starting with achievable exercises and gradually increasing difficulty, an EP can help a participant build confidence in their physical abilities. This sense of accomplishment often translates to other areas of life and boosts mental wellbeing.
- Managing stress and anxiety: Exercise can reduce stress as it boosts the feel-good endorphins in the brain, reduces the body’s stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, and distracts people from their concerns and worries. An EP might teach breathing techniques or gentle stretching exercises to help people relax and feel calmer.
- Improving sleep: Through a combination of appropriately timed exercise and relaxation techniques, an EP can help establish routines that promote better sleep, which is crucial for mental wellbeing.
- Enhancing Independence: By focusing on exercises that improve strength and mobility for daily activities, an EP can help reduce a participant’s reliance on others, potentially boosting self-esteem and reducing anxiety.
“Exercise physiologists provide participants with achievable ways to remove their barriers to enjoying improved mental wellbeing. And this starts with a highly personalised program that is considerate of an individual’s condition, challenges, personal preferences and goals,” says National Clinical Lead physiotherapy and exercise physiology, Todd Bartholomew.
Accessing exercise physiologist through the NDIS
Exercise physiologists can support NDIS participants through two main funding categories within the Capacity Building Supports budget, which funds supports to grow independence and skills: –
1. Improved Health and Wellbeing
This category is to fund supports to help participants develop healthy habits, manage chronic conditions, and improve overall wellbeing. In this category, EPs can provide lifestyle and wellbeing support which may include:
- Developing personalised exercise programs to manage stress and improve mood.
- Offering guidance on physical activity for better sleep and energy management.
- Providing education on the mental health benefits of regular exercise.
- Designing group exercise programs to combat isolation and promote social interaction.
2. Improved Daily Living (IDL)
In the IDL category, EPs focus on rehabilitation and support for support participation in daily activities, including exercise and physical activity. This can involve:
- Creating personalised exercise programs to improve physical function, which can boost confidence and independence.
- Designing activities that simulate daily tasks to enhance practical skills and reduce anxiety about these tasks.
- Offering strategies to manage fatigue or pain that may be impacting mental wellbeing.
- Providing guidance on adapting physical activities to suit the home environment.
The holistic approach of exercise physiology
When used as part of a holistic approach, exercise physiology can significantly contribute to improved mental wellbeing.
Exercise physiologists work alongside other health professionals, including psychologists and allied health clinicians to help participants achieve their goals and enjoy improved quality of life.
At Better Rehab, our EPs work collaboratively with our physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and positive behaviour support practitioners within multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive and tailored support to participants, including support for improving physical and mental wellbeing.
By working within an individual’s limits, providing safe, tailored exercise programs that build confidence, strength, stamina, and healthy behaviours, exercise physiologists play a crucial role in supporting mental wellbeing.
If you would like to find out how our exercise physiologists could support your mental wellbeing, reach out to us via our contact form.
