A healthy mind: How exercise can improve your mental wellness

As Toronto experiences a particularly gloomy January , many may be wondering what they can do to give their mental wellness a boost. Catherine Sabiston , a professor in the University of Toronto's Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE), says physical exercise is one potentially important strategy. "If people can engage in small bouts of physical activity throughout the day - even just a minute or two at a time - and build up to 10 to 20 minutes per day, that is beneficial," she recommends. A Canada Research Chair in physical activity and mental health, Sabiston directs KPE's  Mental Health and Physical Activity Research Centre  (MPARC). The centre studies the connections between physical activity and mental health, and develops and evaluates interventions to promote physical activity and mental wellness among people who are at risk of inactivity and mental health problems. It also runs a six-week program called  MoveU.HappyU  that provides customized coaching and training aimed at reducing the stress and anxiety of students through physical movement. Writer Jelena Damjanovic recently sat down with Sabiston recently to talk about the benefits of movement to our bodies - and minds. How does our brain reward us for moving? There are probably as many ways that physical activity helps our physical health as it does our mental health.