Hypnotherapy and Exercise for Mental Wellbeing

This isn't me, but it could be me...

Today is National Fitness Day, and it got me thinking about the powerful link between moving our bodies and how we feel in ourselves. Of course, exercise isn’t a condition of working with me, and it’s certainly not something I prescribe. But it can be a really useful tool alongside solution focused hypnotherapy, and one that many of us can draw on when we’re looking for ways to support our mental wellbeing.

Why exercise helps us feel better

Most of us know that exercise is “good for us,” but what’s happening in the brain makes it even more interesting. When we move, our bodies release chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. These neurotransmitters play a big part in lifting mood, calming the nervous system, and helping us think more clearly.

Exercise also helps activate the left side of the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain that’s involved in rational thinking, decision-making, and seeing things from a more positive perspective. This is exactly the same part of the brain we engage in solution focused hypnotherapy, when we’re helping the mind find constructive solutions and more optimistic ways of looking at life.

Put simply, when we move our bodies, it becomes easier to move our minds into a better place too.

An analogy I often share

I sometimes say to clients that the hardest part of exercise is often just getting started. Dragging ourselves to the gym or even out for a walk can feel like a battle. But once we’ve done it, we rarely regret it. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone come back from a workout and say, “Well, I wish I hadn’t bothered with that.” More often, they’ll say, “I feel lighter, brighter, calmer.”

That’s because exercise can act as an excellent triage tool. When we notice we’re feeling grouchy, pessimistic, or weighed down, even a short burst of movement can be enough to interrupt that pattern and help us back into a clearer frame of mind.

How this connects with hypnotherapy

In my work, I help people rediscover their own inner strengths and resources. We do this by focusing on what’s already working in their lives, building on strengths, and visualising preferred outcomes. The same principles apply when we use exercise to shift a mood: it’s about recognising that you can influence how you feel, and that small steps really do make a difference.

Hypnotherapy provides a safe, relaxed space to rehearse these changes mentally, while exercise provides one of the many practical ways of experiencing them physically. You don’t have to combine the two, but when people do, they often complement each other brilliantly.

Everyday benefits you might notice

When exercise becomes a regular part of life, many people find they:

• Cope better with stress

• Feel less caught up in negative thinking

• Sleep more soundly

• Make clearer, more confident decisions

• Experience more moments of positivity in their day

These are the same kinds of outcomes I see in clients through solution focused hypnotherapy. The path you take might be different, but the destination is similar: greater calm, confidence, and resilience.

Small steps are enough

If the idea of “exercise” feels daunting, it’s worth remembering it doesn’t have to mean gym memberships or marathons. A short walk, dancing in the kitchen, or stretching while the kettle boils all count. Consistency matters more than intensity, and the smallest shifts can have a real impact.

Final thoughts

So, on National Fitness Day, I’ll be celebrating movement in whatever form feels right. Not as a rulebook, not as pressure, but as one of the many tools available to support a healthier, calmer mind.

If you’re curious about how hypnotherapy might also help you reconnect with your confidence, calm, and inner strengths, please feel free to get in touch. I won't judge or tell you what you should be doing; my role is to walk alongside you as you find the approaches that work best for you.