Think of a physiotherapist and you probably think of someone who’s interested in muscles and joints; someone who gets you moving again after an injury, right? Well my guest this week is a physio with a difference. He’s concerned with the effect movement has, not on our bodies… but our minds. 

Brendon Stubbs is head of physiotherapy at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, a clinical lecturer and a prolific researcher. His work is helping provide the medical profession with much-needed evidence for what we, as humans, feel instinctively: physical activity makes us feel good. For instance, did you know moderate exercisers are 30 per cent less likely to suffer a depressive episode? Or that being sedentary can actually cause depression? Finally, we have proof that exercise is as effective as many existing interventions for preventing and treating mental health conditions. And I would argue it goes one step further, by also boosting physical health and social connections.

Whether you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, you’re a healthcare professional, or you simply want to increase your emotional resilience, I think you’ll be persuaded into action by the surprising stories and evidence Brendon shares. And if you’re persuaded, please spread the word – let’s start a movement revolution.

Disclaimer: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.*

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Watch the video version of this interview in full below.

Connect with Brendon:

Twitter      Instagram

Brendon’s book:

Exercise-Based Interventions for Mental Illness†

Further Learning:

• Telegraph – Exercising for 20 minutes-a-day cuts risk of developing depression by one third
• Psychiatry Online – Physical Activity and Incident Depression: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies
• Jama – Assessment of Bidirectional Relationships Between Physical Activity and Depression Among Adults: A 2-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
• The British Journal of Psychiatry – The effect of experimentally induced sedentariness on mood and psychobiological responses to mental stress
• BMC medial – SMILES trial – A randomised controlled trial of dietary improvement for adults with major depression
• The British Journal of Psychiatry – Exercise and internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for depression (Regassa): a multicenter randomised controlled trial with 12-month follow-up
• PNAS journal – Rapid stimulation of human dentate gyrus function with acute mild exercise (Japanese study)
• Science Direct – Effect of aerobic exercise on hippocampal volume in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis
• Maturitas Journal – Dance Movement Therapy and Falls Prevention
• Science Direct – Physical activity and depression: Towards understanding the antidepressant mechanisms of physical activity
• Kings College London – Blood test to personalise depression treatment for the first time
• Dr Chatterjee’s BBC appearance: Is Inflammation the underlying cause of Depression?

Articles:

• BBC – New blood test targets depression
• CSP – Exercise decreases the risk of depression regardless of age

Dr Chatterjee’s resources:

• Podcast #74 – How Diet Can Save Your Mental Health with Professor Felice Jacka
• Podcast #84 – Why Walking Is The Superpower You Didn’t Know You Had with Professor Shane O’Mara
• Podcast #57 – Mental Fitness and Body Image with Natasha Devon MBE
• Find Dr Chatterjee’s 4 Pillar of Health in The 4 Pillar Plan†
• Available in the US & Canada with the title How to Make Disease Disappear†
• Order Dr Chatterjee’s book The Stress Solution†
• Dr Chatterjee’s book Feel Better in 5† is out now
• Click here for Dr Chatterjee’s YouTube channel
• Facebook Dr Chatterjee 4 Pillar Community Tribe

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*DISCLAIMER: Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

† Disclosure: All books marked with a ^† are hyperlinked to an affiliate program. We take part in Amazon’s affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon’s website. You are not charged any extra by using these links to purchase books.