The Overlooked Link Between Exercise Physiology and Mental Wellbeing

When people think about mental health, they usually picture therapy, medication and counselling. Fair enough, those things are important. But right alongside them, there’s another profession quietly helping people rebuild energy, confidence and calm: Exercise Physiologists.

At Nomadic EP, we see it every week. Movement isn’t just about fitness. It’s one of the most powerful tools we have for mental well-being.

What Exercise Physiologists Actually Do

Exercise Physiologists are university-trained allied health professionals who specialise in how exercise influences both the body and the mind. We’re known for helping people manage chronic conditions, recover from injury and improve performance, but our role extends far beyond muscles and joints.

For people living with anxiety, depression, chronic stress or trauma, an Exercise Physiologist can design a plan that supports both physical and mental health. We start by assessing your current abilities, challenges and goals, then build something that fits your life. No 5 a.m. bootcamps in the rain unless that’s genuinely your thing.

The Science: Why Exercise Helps the Mind

Regular physical activity does more than tone muscles. It changes how the brain functions. Research shows that exercise:

• Regulates brain chemistry. It helps balance serotonin and dopamine and increases a brain protein called BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), which supports learning, resilience and mood stability. Researchers used to give endorphins all the credit, but now we know the endocannabinoid system plays a major role too. That’s science-speak for your body’s natural chill-out system.

• Improves sleep quality and energy levels. People who move regularly report deeper, more restorative sleep, which in turn reduces fatigue, irritability and stress.

• Reduces inflammation. Chronic low-grade inflammation is linked to depression and fatigue. Exercise helps regulate immune and hormonal function, lowering that baseline pressure in the system.

• Builds physical resilience. Strength, fitness and mobility create small wins that carry over into daily life. Confidence, capability and independence all rise when the body feels stronger.

These aren’t just theories. Decades of research have confirmed that movement reduces symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress. A 2024 meta-analysis in the BMJ found exercise to be an effective treatment for depression, especially walking, jogging, yoga and strength training.

And for me, it’s not just professional, it’s personal. Jiu-jitsu, running and training are how I manage my own mental health. They give me a sense of achievement, a place to zone out from the noise of the day, and a way to think clearly. Movement gives me tunnel vision when I need to work through problems and perspective when I’m done. It’s not about chasing perfection, it’s about keeping the mind moving with the body.

Tailored Exercise for Mental Health

No two clients are the same. For some, the best approach might be gym-based strength work. For others, it might be walking, cycling or mobility training to reintroduce gentle movement and consistency. The goal is to make progress sustainable, not punishing.

At Nomadic EP, we’ve seen participants in our older adult groups report more than just stronger legs. They talk about confidence returning, reconnecting with people and having a renewed sense of purpose. That’s not luck. That’s physiology and psychology teaming up.

Working With Your Mental Health Team

Exercise Physiologists often work in partnership with GPs, psychologists, counsellors and other allied health professionals. While there isn’t a direct Medicare “mental health plan” for Exercise Physiology in Australia, there are several ways we can fit into your care.

People with ongoing conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or chronic pain can often access sessions through GP-referred Chronic Disease Management Plans. Those supported by the NDIS can include Exercise Physiology under “Improved Daily Living” or “Health and Wellbeing” goals. Private sessions are also available for anyone who simply wants structured guidance without the paperwork.

The takeaway is simple. Exercise can be seamlessly integrated into your mental health plan and doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating.

Breaking Stigma Through Movement

For some people, walking into a psychologist’s office feels daunting. Walking into a gym or joining a small-group class can feels easier. Exercise provides a space to focus on progress rather than labels. It becomes a bridge to connection, confidence and improved mental well-being.

Sometimes, movement is the first step that makes the rest of recovery possible.

The Future of Mental Health Care

The link between exercise and mental health is no longer a nice idea, it’s proven. Reviews continue to show that movement reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety across all age groups. It doesn’t replace therapy or medication for those who need them, but it adds another powerful lever to pull. Exercise Physiologists are uniquely qualified to make that process safe, personalised and sustainable.

The Bottom Line

The path to mental wellness isn’t always straight or obvious, but it becomes clearer when your body is moving on purpose. At Nomadic EP, we help people move better, feel stronger and live healthier, physically and mentally.

No gimmicks, no jargon, just good science and a bit of sweat.

---

Quick Reference Highlights

• Exercise is effective for reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.• Walking, jogging, yoga and strength training show the strongest evidence.

• Exercise helps regulate serotonin, dopamine and BDNF — brain chemicals and proteins linked to mood and learning.

• The endocannabinoid system plays a major role in the “feel-good” effects of exercise.

• Physical activity improves sleep, reduces inflammation and boosts energy levels.

• Consistency and enjoyment are more important than intensity when it comes to mental health benefits.

• Exercise can be accessed through GP Chronic Disease Management Plans, NDIS, or private sessions.

Reference (for those who would like to read more)

• Noetel M, et al. BMJ 2024. “Effect of exercise for depression: systematic review and network meta-analysis of RCTs.”

• Singh B, et al. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2023. Umbrella review on physical activity for depression, anxiety and psychological distress.

• Li L, et al. Frontiers in Psychology 2024. Network meta-analysis on exercise dose and type for sleep quality.

• Kredlow MA, et al. PeerJ 2018. Meta-analysis of exercise for insomnia.

• Heissel A, et al. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2023. Exercise as medicine for depressive symptoms.

• Bach M, et al. ACC Journal Scan 2021. Mechanistic studies on endocannabinoid response to exercise.

• Dinoff A, et al. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2017. Review on BDNF and exercise.

• Eyre H, et al. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2024. Exercise, inflammation and depression: mechanisms and interventions.