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In this video, I discuss a very important and complex topic: fitness and mental health.

I was reluctant to make this video, and to share some personal stories. But I think it’s important, given that a lot of other fitness creators discuss this topic without the necessary nuance. Those videos claiming that working out can “cure depression” are sorely oversimplifying what is a very sensitive issue – and may be doing harm in the process.

Yes: exercise is phenomenal for your mental health. It has countless important benefits that can do absolute wonders via a number of different pathways. Fitness will improve brain plasticity, neurotransmitter production, self-esteem, blood flow, gut health, and much more. All of this can have profound effects on mental health in both the short-term AND long-term.

But it is not accurate to say that “fitness cures depression.” And suggesting this can risk causing more harm – by laying the blame on the people suffering with these challenges. We have to be very careful about what we claim and the sort of language we use.

And we have to recognise that there is a big difference between “feeling a little sad” and being genuinely depressed.

We also need to recognise the potential negative effects that fitness can have on mental health. This is something we see a lot, right now. The unrealistic standards being set by social media can have serious, destructive consequences.

If you want your fitness to positively influence your mental health, you have to approach it with that in mind. With that as a key goal.

And, as always, this should be just one part of a comprehensive approach to a healthy lifestyle.

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