How Physical Activity Helps Improve our Mental Health
With World Mental Health day coming up on 10th October, we’ve decided to share some thoughts and local initiatives to inspire our community to take care of their mental health by taking time to themselves or trying something new. This blog will cover Physical Activity.
How big is the link between physical activity and mental health?
The positive associations between physical activity and mental health are highly significant. A review of over 1,000 studies by the John W Brick Foundation found a link of almost 90%.
They found that associations were highest when (1) intensity is moderate to vigorous, (2) taking place several times per week, and (3) including mindfulness-based activities like yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong.
What if exercise is difficult?
It is important to remember that physical activity is a broad term encompassing everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking, and commuting to work, with previous studies establishing positive mental health links with all of these activities (yes, even commuting!).
Traditional exercise, like running or playing a sport, can range from being daunting to impossible for those experiencing mobility issues. Nevertheless, research published by the Neuroscience and Biobehavioural Reviews journal in 2024 found that low to moderately intense exercise, such as gardening, golf, or walking, cuts the risk of depression by 23%, anxiety by 26%, and psychosis or schizophrenia by 27%.
These low-intensity activities are also more likely to have accessible accommodations for those with mobility issues, highlighting the importance of continued research into low-intensity everyday physical activities.
Moreover, research has found that there is an equally positive inverse association between a lack of physical activity and low mental health. A 2020 study in the Mental Health and Physical Activity journal found that low/no movement activities like long screen time and sitting at home were strongly related to higher odds of mental health issues. Therefore, simply avoiding long periods of inactivity can also result in mental health improvements.
Ways to Get Active in Barking and Dagenham
There are plenty of social sports and activity clubs across the borough. Below, we’ve listed a few which we hope will inspire you to try out.
Barking ParkRun
Parkrun is a free, community-based and volunteer-led initiative which started out in 2004 involving thirteen runners, five volunteers, and a local park in Teddington. Now, millions are running every week at over 1,000 parkrun events around the country.
Barking’s ParkRun takes place every Saturday at 9am at Barking Park. If you’re attending for the first time, please register and bring a scannable copy of your barcode.
Free sports facilities at local parks
Barking Park has a skate park, a splash park, a sports pavilion, bowls, and a tennis, basketball and football (5 a side) course. Also hosts ParkRun.
Location: Longbridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8UD
Central Park has an outdoor gym, a sports pavilion, outdoor bowls, a football pitch, a golf pitch and putt, rugby, and tennis courts.
Location: Rainham Road, Dagenham, RM10 7EU
Greatfields Park has tennis courts.
Location: Greatfields Road, Barking IG11 7TX
Marks Gate Open Space (Tantony Green) has a 5-a-side football pitch, a basketball court, and outdoor gym equipment for all ages
Location: Tantony Green, Marks Gate RM6 5NA
Mayesbrook Park has an outdoor gym, a sports pavilion, an athletics track, a cricket pitch, and a football pitch.
Location: 180 Lodge Ave, Dagenham RM8 2JR
Old Dagenham Park has a BMX track, a skate park, a sports pavilion, outdoor bowls, a football pitch, basketball courts, and tennis courts.
Location: Ballards Road, Dagenham RM10 9AR
Parsloes park has a skate park, a sports pavilion, a football pitch and multi-sport hard courts.
Location: Terrace Walk, Becontree, Dagenham, RM9 5PU
St Chad’s Park has an outdoor gym, a sports pavilion, outdoor bowls, a cricket pitch, a football pitch, and tennis courts.
Location: Alexandra Rd, Romford RM6 6UL
Valence Park has an outdoor gym, football pitch and a basketball court.
Location: 107 Grafton Road, Dagenham RM8 3EU
Most of these parks are accessible, but please visit AccessAble for more information and guides.
Over 65s Accessible Living Streets Walking Group
Living Streets run weekly walks in Dagenham for people with varying walking ability and is also wheelchair accessible. Their purpose is to help older adults build confidence and physical resilience, provide a space for regular social interactions through walking and wheeling related activities for older adults, and promote intergenerational community support through led walks.
To find out more, you can access their website page here, which has links to their email and Facebook group.
Other Local Sports Clubs
For a more comprehensive view of local sports and activity clubs, check out the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham website page, which lists 14 clubs ranging from cricket, to rugby, to canoeing.
