Managing PTSD and Mental Health Through Exercise
June is National PTSD Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shedding light on the realities of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the many paths to healing. PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic, life-threatening, or deeply distressing event. While it is often associated with military service, PTSD can affect anyone — survivors of accidents, abuse, natural disasters, or other significant emotional upheavals.
Trauma doesn’t just affect the mind — it impacts the entire body. Individuals living with PTSD often report feeling disconnected from their physical selves, overwhelmed by physiological symptoms like panic, tension, or hypervigilance. This mind-body disconnect can make daily life feel unpredictable and exhausting. While therapy and medication remain cornerstones of treatment, physical movement has emerged as a powerful and empowering complement to traditional approaches.
Exercise plays a vital role in supporting recovery from PTSD. When we move, our bodies release endorphins — natural mood boosters — and reduce stress hormones like cortisol. But the benefits go beyond chemistry. Intentional movement helps reestablish the brain-body connection, creating a sense of grounding and control that is often disrupted by trauma. Over time, this reconnection can promote emotional stability, improve mood, and foster a renewed sense of agency.
Regular exercise has been shown to:
- Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Improve sleep quality and duration
- Lower overall stress levels
- Enhance emotional regulation
- Increase self-esteem and empowerment
However, healing through movement is not one-size-fits-all. For individuals managing PTSD, safety, choice, and autonomy are essential. Some may prefer the solitude of an early morning walk. Others thrive in the supportive energy of a group fitness class. It’s important to find what feels right — and to honor the body’s signals along the way.
Here are several trauma-informed fitness options that can support those with PTSD:
- Walking or running – Encourages mindfulness, rhythmic breathing, and a peaceful outlet for stress.
- Strength training – Builds confidence, physical strength, and a sense of mastery over the body.
- Yoga or mobility classes – Promote grounding, breath awareness, and reconnecting gently with physical sensations.
- Group fitness classes – Foster community, reduce isolation, and offer uplifting, shared experiences.
- Boxing or martial arts – Provide structured, safe ways to release pent-up energy and foster discipline.
- Swimming – Combines low-impact resistance with the calming effects of water to soothe the nervous system.
At LVAC, we believe that transformation is not just physical — it’s mental and emotional too. Our community is built on strength, support, and compassion. During PTSD Awareness Month, we reaffirm our commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to heal, move, and grow.
If you or someone you know is living with PTSD, support is available. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or reach out to a mental health provider. You are not alone.
