Balancing Act: Mental Health, Physical Activity, and Finding Joy in Routine

Welcome to SDHC's Health and Wellbeing podcast! In this episode, we explore the intricate balance between mental health and physical activity with our special guest, Steven Clarke. Steven shares his extensive experience and insights from his career, spanning over 25 years in mental health and physical fitness.

Steven, a coach at Team Bodyworks and a former clinical exercise therapist, delves into the importance of physical activity for mental health, drawing from his work with South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust. He discusses how exercise can be a crucial component in mental health care and the challenges of integrating it into routine care plans.

We also touch on the benefits of setting achievable goals, the role of nutrition, and the importance of maintaining a routine. Steven emphasises the significance of finding joy in physical activities and how this can lead to sustainable lifestyle changes.

Join us as we uncover practical strategies for staying motivated and consistent with exercise, regardless of the challenges life throws our way. Whether you're a healthcare professional looking to better support your patients or someone seeking to improve your own health and wellbeing, this episode is packed with valuable advice and inspiration.

Don’t miss out on this engaging conversation that highlights the transformative power of physical activity on both mental and physical health.

 

For questions or information on Exercise Professionals for Mental Health, please contact Steven at steven@epmh.org

For inquiries related to training with Team Bodyworks Performance Triathlon Club, please visit their website at www.teambodyworks.com.

 

You might also find the following resources helpful:

• Exercise-Based Interventions for Mental Illness: Physical Activity as Part of Clinical Treatment: Amazon.co.uk: Stubbs, Brendon: 9780128126059: Books
• Case Studies in Sports Psychiatry: Amazon.co.uk: Mistry, Amit D.: 9781108720557: Books
• NHS Managing a healthy weight in adult secure services – practice guidance
• Mind Charity – Physical Activity, exercise and mental health
• Stubbs, B et al (2018) Physical Activity and mental health. The Lancet Psychiatry 5 (11) p873.