Move Your Body, Change Your Brain

Thank you for listening and supporting This Might HelpOn today's show, we discuss all about how and why exercise improves our mental health and what we can do to become more consistent with exercise.You can find us on socials @thismighthelppodcast - InstagramThe full video version of this episode is available on YouTube by clicking here. If you or a loved one needs further support, we strongly encourage you to speak with your GP, psychologist, or another qualified healthcare professional.Further support can be found through:Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 4636 LifeLine - https://988lifeline.org/get-help/ 13 11 14 Headspace - https://headspace.org.au 1800 650 890 (for those aged 25 or under) The research we chat about can be found below:An, H.-Y., Chen, W., Wang, C.-W., Yang, H.-F., Huang, W.-T., & Fan, S.-Y. (2020). The Relationships between Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction and Happiness among Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(13), Article 13. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17134817Basso, J. C., & Suzuki, W. A. (2017). The Effects of Acute Exercise on Mood, Cognition, Neurophysiology, and Neurochemical Pathways: A Review. Brain Plasticity, 2(2), 127–152. https://doi.org/10.3233/BPL-160040Greco, G., Cataldi, S., & Fischetti, F. (2020). Combined Exercise Training Improves Work-Related Burnout Symptoms And Psychological Stress: A Randomized Controlled Study: 1702 Board #296 May 28 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 52(7S), 458. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000678904.77818.e8Heissel, A., Heinen, D., Brokmeier, L. L., Skarabis, N., Kangas, M., Vancampfort, D., Stubbs, B., Firth, J., Ward, P. B., Rosenbaum, S., Hallgren, M., & Schuch, F. (2023). Exercise as medicine for depressive symptoms? A systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57(16), 1049–1057. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2022-106282Kredlow, M. A., Capozzoli, M. C., Hearon, B. A., Calkins, A. W., & Otto, M. W. (2015). The effects of physical activity on sleep: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 38(3), 427–449. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-015-9617-6Li, J., Zhou, Z., Hao, S., & Zang, L. (2025). Optimal intensity and dose of exercise to improve university students’ mental health: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of 48 randomized controlled trials. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 125(5), 1395–1410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-024-05688-9Ramos-Sanchez, C. P., Schuch, F. B., Seedat, S., Louw, Q. A., Stubbs, B., Rosenbaum, S., Firth, J., van Winkel, R., & Vancampfort, D. (2021). The anxiolytic effects of exercise for people with anxiety and related disorders: An update of the available meta-analytic evidence. Psychiatry Research, 302, 114046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2021.114046Singh, B., Bennett, H., Miatke, A., Dumuid, D., Curtis, R., Ferguson, T., Brinsley, J., Szeto, K., Petersen, J. M., Gough, C., Eglitis, E., Simpson, C. E., Ekegren, C. L., Smith, A. E., Erickson, K. I., & Maher, C. (2025). Effectiveness of exercise for improving cognition, memory and executive function: A systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108589Teixeira, D. S., Rodrigues, F., Cid, L., & Monteiro, D. (2022). Enjoyment as a Predictor of Exercise Habit, Intention to Continue Exercising, and Exercise Frequency: The Intensity Traits Discrepancy Moderation Role. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 780059. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.780059