Burnout. Anxiety. Depression. These aren’t just personal struggles anymore; they’re workplace issues costing businesses billions in lost productivity. Employers are responding by offering more mental healthcare benefits, employee assistance programs (EAPs), and other resources to address the growing prevalence of employee mental health challenges. But what if the key to tackling these issues wasn’t just medication or therapy? Research shows there’s a powerful, often overlooked intervention that can significantly impact employee mental health. Discover the surprising power of exercise and how companies can use it to support employees’ mental and physical health.

Employees Under Pressure

There are many outside pressures weighing on the minds of employees. Global conflicts, inflation, stagnant wages, and political uncertainty are taking a toll on employee mental health.  Consider these statistics:

• • A Gallup survey of 16,000 working adults found nearly one in five rate their mental health as fair or poor, leading to four times more unplanned absences compared to colleagues who report good mental health. (The cost of a missed workday is estimated to be $340 per day for full-time workers and $170 per day for part-time workers.)
  • More than half of benefits leaders surveyed said they believe “many” or “a lot” of their employees are actively dealing with one or more mental health issues.
  • In 2023, 34% of U.S. workers reported a worsening level of mental health.
  • Anxiety is the highest reported mental health disorder in the U.S.
  • A Business Group on Health survey of more than 150 large U.S. employers found a 77% increase in mental health issues among employees compared to 44% the prior year. 

Movement Over Medicine

While medications have traditionally been the go-to solution for treating mental health issues, there’s a growing body of evidence showing the profound benefits of physical activity in improving mental well-being. Recent research found that exercise may be more effective than medicine in managing mental health and is “extremely beneficial” for improving symptoms of depression, anxiety, and distress. 

 (While exercise can be an effective tool for managing mental health conditions, employees should work with a health professional to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.)

Physical Fitness = Mental Fitness

Exercise is believed to impact mental health through multiple pathways, with short- and long-term effects. Immediately after exercise, the brain releases endorphins and dopamine, which act as natural mood lifters, improving emotional well-being. Exercise also reduces levels of stress hormones like cortisol, promoting relaxation and lowering anxiety.  

Over the long term, exercise promotes the release of neurotransmitters, including endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers), dopamine (the “reward” chemical), and serotonin, which play a role in mood regulation and sleep. These chemical messengers promote changes in the brain that help with mood and cognition, may decrease inflammation, and may boost immune function, all of which influence brain function and mental health.

Regular exercise can also improve sleep quality, which is crucial for both physical and mental health. 

A Natural Antidepressant

Although there are many effective medications that can help in treating depression, exercise can be an effective natural treatment for mild to moderate depression and anxiety. It can work as well as antidepressants for some people. (It’s important to note, however, that exercise alone may not be enough for those with severe depression.) 

Moreover, exercise can also help reduce the risk of depression. Research suggests that engaging in physical activity equivalent to 2.5 hours of brisk walking per week can reduce the risk of depression by 25%. Even if done for half that amount of time, the risk remains 18% lower compared to no physical activity. 

No Side Effects, More Benefits

Unlike medications, which often have side effects and dependency risks, exercise offers a natural and sustainable approach to improving mental health. Furthermore, exercise has additional benefits compared to medications, such as reduced cost, fewer side effects, and improved physical health.

The Best Exercises for Mental Health

Research suggests that increased physical activity of any kind can improve depression symptoms. Brisk walking, dancing, biking, fitness classes, and other activities that get the body moving are all good choices. Any amount of activity is better than none. Ultimately, the best exercises are ones that people will enjoy and will keep doing on a regular basis.

Although not a cure-all, promoting physical activity can support employees’ mental and physical health. Among other benefits, this can lead to reduced absenteeism, increased engagement and productivity, and lower healthcare costs. More importantly, it can help create a healthier, happier workforce. 

Aaptiv: For Employee Physical and Mental Health

Aaptiv offers an all-in-one wellness solution that includes personalized workout plans, access to a network of over 19,000 national and local gyms, and over 9,500+ digital fitness and mindfulness classes. With PEAR’s Training Intelligence, Aaptiv’s adaptive coaching helps users stay motivated and engaged with their exercise routine, helping employees achieve their fitness goals and improve their health and well-being. 

Learn more about Aaptiv employee fitness and wellness benefits.