The positive link between exercise and improved mental health has long been known. Not only does exercise increase your levels of natural mood-boosting endorphins, but it also helps by reducing immune system chemicals that can exacerbate depression.
But, the stresses and strains of 2020 coupled with lockdown measures has made exercising unappealing or just plain hard for many people. Financial hardships have also affected the access many people have to gyms and fitness studios.
With all of this in mind, the team at Snap Fitness are opening the doors of their 200+ clubs across Australia for free for the duration of Mental Health Week, so you can get in a sweat sesh and boost those endorphins at no financial cost.
From Monday, October 12 to Sunday, October 18, you will be able to train for free in a Snap Fitness club. And, club owners will also be fundraising for mental health charity LIVIN throughout the month of October, to help support the work of the much-needed work of the organisation.
“At Snap Fitness our goal has always been to have an all-encompassing approach to health and wellness – we know the strong links between physical and mental health,” Snap Fitness chief executive officer, Chris Caldwell, said in a statement.
“The existing mental health issues our society is suffering has been heightened this year with the global pandemic, so it’s never been more important for the entire country to get behind this cause and do something to create positive change in their communities.”
To find out where your nearest Snap Fitness club is, head to the Snap Fitness website.
If you’re not able to make it to the gym, or gyms are still closed in your area, you can still do something positive for your mental health by joining “Take Ten” — a virtual mediation session hosted by Snap Fitness and LIVIN on Saturday, October 10 via Facebook Live.