Everything Gets Better When You Get Active! (ParticipACTION 24 Betters) 

Moving your body every day — in a way that you enjoy — boosts your mental, physical and social well-being.

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Physical activity can improve mental well-being by:

• Boosting self-esteem and improving mood.

• Improving sleep quality.

• Reducing stress, and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

• Enhancing brain cognition (thinking and learning), brain function (how the brain works), and mental health (emotional, psychological and social well-being).

• Helping to regulate emotions, enhance creativity, learning, and focus.

 

Physical activity strengthens physical well-being by:

• Maintaining a healthy body weight.

• Improving balance and coordination.

• Building muscular strength and endurance.

• Enhancing cardiovascular fitness and heart health.

• Preventing chronic disease and maintaining a high quality of life.

 

Beyond mental and physical benefits, being active connects you socially — helping you learn new skills, reduce loneliness, and build meaningful connections. It can also service as a sense of mastery and purpose in life. Understanding what really motivates you and what you love to do is key!

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As you’ll see in the health benefits timeline below, the impact of physical activity grows the longer you stick with it. After just one single session of physical activity, your brain releases endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin — natural “feel-good” chemicals that relieve pain and boost your mood. Staying active for 4–8 weeks leads to even greater physical benefits, and over time, you’ll build lifelong health and well-being.