Academics and Health Care Professionals often forget to talk about the psychological benefits associated with regular exercise. Our responsibility as clinicians is to work with our clients to ensure that they are informed of activities that will help keep them healthy, both physically and mentally.  Research suggests that regular physical activity (40-60 minutes per day) can help with anxiety, stress, depression, mood, and cognitive functioning.

There is also a growing body of research supporting physical activity and improved self-perception and self-esteem.

According to Faulkner and Taylor’s text, Exercise, Health, and Mental Health,  we know the following about the mental health benefits of exercise (Faulkner & Taylor 2005):

Anxiety

• Exercise has a low-to-moderate anxiety reducing effect. 
• Single sessions of moderate exercise can reduce short-term physical reactivity and enhance recovery from brief stressors. 

Depression

• A number of studies support the link between exercise and decreased depression
• Experimental studies suggest that both aerobic and resistance training may be used to treat moderate-to-severe depression. 

Emotion

• Physical activity has been commonly associated with positive mood and affect. 
• Empirical studies suggest that aerobic exercise has a small-to-moderate effect in vigor, tension, depression, fatigue, confusion, and anger. 

Exercise Suggestions:

• Find a team sport and make an effort to build new relationships (try meetup.com).
• Workout with a partner. 
•  Find a team or one-on-one sports activity that you and your partner can enjoy together. 

References:
Faulkner, Guy., Taylor, Adrian.  (2008). Exercise, health, and mental health. Routledge, New York: NY:2

Places you may find helpful (Generated by Google Maps on June 2, 2013):
*Please note* The staff at CSYR gathered these contacts from google maps and haven't varified if these companies are still active and serving customers. 

Cycling Classes:
Spin Kicks Cycle and Fitness – 905-553-3000 – Vaughan, York Region 

Martial Arts:
Woodbridge Tae-Kwon-Do – 905-851-1797 – Woodbridge, York Region
100% Martial Arts – 905-264-2648 – Vaughan, York Region
Matador Mixed Martial Arts – 905-605-7276 – Vaughan, York Region
Canada’s Best Karate – 905-893-3342 – Vaughan, York Region
Takedown MMA – 516-831-6670 – Vaughan, York Region
KJD Boxing and Fitness – 905-265-1022 – Woodbridge, York Region
Revolution Mixed Martial Arts – 905-695-1020 – Thornhill, York Region
Kombat Fitness – 905-417-8254 – Maple, York Region
Brad Jones Karate-Do & Fitness Centre – 905-895-9636 – Newmarket, York Region
Warrior Mixed Martial Arts – 905-830-1711 – Newmarket, York Region 
Reality Combat Fitness Centre – 905-853-0536 – Newmarket, York Region
Point Blank Martial Arts – 905-727-7300 – Aurora, York Region
Delf’s Martial Arts and Health Club – 905-775-8760 – Bradford & Aurora, York Region
Watson’s Family Karate School – 905-727-7144 – Aurora, York Region
All Star Martial Arts World – 905-787-2058 – Richmond Hill, York Region
Canada’s Black Belt Martial Arts & Fitness – 905-841-2263 - Aurora, York Region
Master Geoerge Tae Kwon Do – 905-737-5550 – Richmond Hill, York Region

Gymnastics:
Woodbridge Academy of Gymnastics – 905-850-5151 – Woodbridge, York Region
Shenderey Gymnastics Institute – 905-895-6838 – Newmarket, York Region

Yoga:
Olive Tree Yoga and Pilates Studio – 905-856-9642 – Woodbridge, York Region
Passion For Pilates Inc – 905-264-9980 – Woodbridge, York Region
At Your Door Yoga – 416-725-2605 – Vaughan, York Region
Sun Energy Yoga Arts – 905-850-7981 – Woodbridge, York Region
Hot Yoga Wellness – 905-660-8860 – Vaughan, York Region
Yoga Source & Therapy Studio – 905-830-9700 – Newmarket, York Region
Hot Yoga Aurora – 905-505-1011 – Aurora, York Region
Spine Stretch Pilates Studio – 905-727-2963 – Aurora, York Region
Prima Donna Fitness – 905-770-30-83 – Richmond Hill, York Region
Moksha Yoga – 905-881-0010 – Richmond Hill, York Region
Bikram Yoga – 905-770-4646 – Richmond Hill, York Region
Pilates North – 905-882-1442 – Richmond Hill, York Region
Wynn Yoga – 905-764-9966 – Thornhill, York Region
Body Lines Dance and Fitness – 905-415-2639 – Markham, York Region
Sol Pilates & Yoga – 416-948-7685 – Markham, York Region

Dance School:
Rugcutterz Danz Artz – 905-660-4169 – Vaughan, York Region
Dance Passion Dance Studio – 906-660-4033 – Thornhill, York Region
Vibe Dance & Fitness Studio – 905-761-8423 – Vaughan, York Region

Racquet Clubs:
Fabulous Fitness Racquet Club – 905-760-2220 – Woodbridge, York Region
Richmond Hill Country Club – 905-731-2800 – Richmond Hill, York Region
Favourite Badminton Club – 416-302-6511 – Newmarket, York Region
Oak Ridges Community Centre and Pool – 905-773-4630 – Richmond Hill, York Region
Parkway Racquet and Fitness Club – 905-882-3106 – Richmond Hill, York Region

Kids Fitness:
KerenSports Inc. – 416-697-5697 – Thornhill, York Region
My Gym Children’s Fitness Centre – 905-780-7700 – Richmond Hill, York Region
Mommy & Baby Fitness – 905-770-3400 – Richmond Hill, York Region  

Crossfit:
Crossfit Newmarket Central – 905-895-4461 – Newmarket, York Region
Berger Cyclefit Coaching – 905-642-9216 – Stouffville, York Region

Skating:
Aurora Skating Club – 905-713-1442 – Aurora, York Region

Bootcamp:
Fit Your Style – 1-877-229-1723 – Aurora, York Region

Swimming:
Splashy’s Swim’n Fitness – 905-939-7581 – West Gwillimbury, York Region
Centennial Pool and Fitness Studio – 905-884-6651 – Richmond Hill, York Region

Creative Pole Dancing:
Sensually Active – 647-294-5953 – Richmond Hill, York Region

Fencing:
Dragon Fencing Academy – 905-764-8388 – Richmond Hill, York Region 

Training: 
Bodies by Design Fitness Studio – 905-850-2202 – Vaughan, York Region 
Synergy Fitness – 905-856-4755 – Woodbridge, York Region 
Integrity Fitness – 905-851-7722 – Woodbridge, York Region 
Fitness on the Go – 1-888-808-2348 – Woodbridge, York Region 
Intense Fitness and Bootcamp – 647-294-8141- Vaughan, York Region 
Bionic Fitness & Wellness – 416-579-1996 – Vaughan, York Region 
Anytime Fitness – 905-265-7558 – Vaughan, York Region 
Goodlife Fitness – 905-265-1188 – Vaughan, York Region 
Crossbones Fitness – 905-856-9348 – Woodbridge, York Region 
Real Fitness for Women – 905-850-2226 – Woodbridge, York Region 
Pure Fx Fitness Studio – 905-303-9900 – Vaughan, York Region 
Active Fitness and Health – 905-265-9845 – Vaughan, York Region 
Fitness 4 Success – 905-850-2008 – Vaughan, York Region 
Aradia Fitness – 647-298-5669 – Vaughan, York Region 
Golden Gloves Fitness  – 416-569-9381 – Vaughan, York Region 
Superior Fitness Club – 905-893-2991 – Kleinburg, York Region
Passionate Trainer Fitness – 905-532-0100 – Concord, York Region 
Integrity Fitness – 905-264-1348 – Woodbridge, York Region 
Natvision Fitness – 905-417-4628 – Maple, York Region 
Champion Athletic Development – 905-264-7787 - Woodbridge, York Region 
Pavillion Fitness Club – 905-763-8000 – Vaughan, York Region 
Women’s Fitness Club of Canada – 905-731-1520 – Thornhill, York Region 
Curves – 905-265-7716 – Woodbridge, York Region 
Express Fitness – 905-832-7008 – Vaughan, York Region 
Snap Fitness – 905-482-3939 – Vaughan, York Region 
Athletic Republic – 905-417-1678 – Maple. York Region 
Goodlife Fitness – 905-850-4402 – Vaughan, York Region 
Revive Fitness – 905-951-1219 – Bolton, York Region 
Maximum Fitness – 905-953-9391 – Newmarket, York Region 
Function Studios – 905-953-9392 – Newmarket, York Region 
Lifestyle Fitness Centre – 905-953-8088 – Newmarket, York Region 
Personal Training By Diane – 905-716-2539 – Newmarket, York Region 
Training with Katie – 905-895-4735 – Newmarket, York Region 
In-Home Training – Imago Vitality – 289-231-3560 – Newmarket, York Region 
Sensible Trainer – 905-392-6492 – Newmarket, York Region 
Renew Personal Training – 905-235-7781 – Newmarket, York Region 
Muscleworks – 905-853-3336 – Newmarket, York Region 
UTC Specialized Fitness – 905-868-9391 – Newmarket, York Region 
Fitness Clubs of Canada – 905-727-1100 – Aurora, York Region 
Fit-Miss Fitness Solutions for Women – 416-710-2294 – Newmarket, York Region 
Timberland Athletic Club – 905-727-4252 – Aurora, York Region 
Maxximum Fitness – 905-953-9391 – Newmarket, York Region 
Own Your Own Fitness – 905-235-0911 – Newmarket, York Region 
Individual Performance Training Centre – 905-713-3800 – Aurora, York Region 
LA Fitness – 289-803-0327 – East Gwillimbury, York Region 
Body Vision Fitness – 905-881-6685 – Richmond Hill, York Region 
Bodies Unlimited Sport – 905-884-7774 – Richmond Hill, York Region 
Whyte Fitness – 905-471-5433 – Markham, York Region

Counselling Services for York Region offers individual psychotherapy, group therapy, and couples counselling in the community. Our goal is to provide quality professional counselling services and do so by reducing barriers to access in York Region. We work with a number of community organizations in creating social programming for those who may experience difficulties in accessing mental health resources.