Exercise for Stress and Anxiety

Regular physical activity is a core component of mental health care.

Stress and anxiety are highly prevalent mental health concerns in Australia, with significant impact on individual’s quality of life and overall health, and a substantial personal and national economic burden. Exercise and physiotherapy have emerged as important adjuncts in the management of these conditions, supported by a growing body of evidence demonstrating their efficacy in reducing symptoms and improving wellbeing.

Who gets it?

Recent data indicate that stress and anxiety remain common among Australian adults, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating these issues. Young adults aged 16–24 years have the highest and fastest-rising prevalence of these conditions and the associated productivity losses and healthcare costs.

The 2020–22 Australian National Surveys of Mental Health and Wellbeing found that the 12-month prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders is highest in this age group, with a significant increase compared to previous years.

Young adults also experience greater severity and impairment, leading to more days out of role and higher indirect costs from lost productivity and early workforce exit.

Working-age adults (18–64 years) as a whole account for the majority of total economic costs, given their large representation in the workforce and the substantial productivity losses attributed to high-prevalence mental disorders, including anxiety and stress-related conditions. However, the most pronounced increases in prevalence and burden are concentrated among those aged 16–24 years, making this group the primary driver of recent increases in economic impact.

Lower income and socioeconomic status further amplify the burden within these age groups, as both prevalence and severity of psychological distress are higher among younger and lower-income Australians, compounding the overall economic impact.

How much is this costing us?

The economic cost of stress and anxiety on the Australian economy is substantial. According to large-scale analyses of workforce data, annual productivity losses alone are estimated at $5.9 billion AUD due to psychological distress among employees. High-prevalence mental disorders, including anxiety and stress-related conditions, incur additional direct healthcare costs of approximately $974 million AUD per year, and are associated with annual welfare payments of $12.9 billion AUD and income tax losses of $1.23 billion AUD.

Work-related stress claims are the most expensive form of workers’ compensation in Australia, primarily due to prolonged absence and complex medical care requirements.

Systematic reviews confirm that productivity-related losses constitute the majority (70–90%) of the total societal cost of work-related stress, with healthcare and medical costs making up the remainder.

Evidence for Exercise in Mental Health Management

Longitudinal studies show that Australians who meet physical activity guidelines report lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to those who do not, underscoring the public health relevance of physical activity in this population.

Multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses confirm that physical activity interventions yield moderate reductions in anxiety and psychological distress across diverse adult populations, including those with diagnosed mental health disorders. Both aerobic and resistance exercise modalities are effective, with higher intensity regimens generally associated with greater symptom improvement.

Exercise exerts its anxiolytic (anxiety-relieving) effects through neurobiological mechanisms (e.g., enhanced neuroplasticity, anti-inflammatory effects) and behavioural pathways (e.g., improved self-regulation). Importantly, exercise is beneficial as both a stand-alone and adjunctive treatment, and its effects are observed in both clinical and non-clinical populations.

Role of Physiotherapy as Part of a Multidisciplinary Approach

Physiotherapists play a key role in the multidisciplinary management of stress and anxiety by prescribing individualized exercise programs, addressing barriers to physical activity, and supporting sustained engagement.

Their expertise in tailoring interventions to patient needs and comorbidities enhances adherence and optimizes outcomes.

Physiotherapy can be integrated with psychological and pharmacological treatments, providing a holistic approach that addresses both mental and physical health. Collaboration with other health professionals ensures comprehensive care, particularly for patients with complex presentations or chronic disease.

Take-home Message

Exercise and physiotherapy are evidence-based, cost-effective strategies for the treatment and management of stress and anxiety. Regular physical activity should be promoted as a core component of mental health care, with physiotherapists contributing essential expertise within multidisciplinary teams. Individualized, higher-intensity exercise regimens may confer greater benefits, but all forms of physical activity are valuable. Ongoing research is needed to refine protocols and maximize therapeutic impact, but current evidence strongly supports the integration of exercise and physiotherapy into routine mental health practice.

Are you struggling with stress and/or anxiety? Give us a call.

At Movement for Life Physiotherapy, we can assess your physical fitness and prescribe you with an evidence-based, tailored exercise program. With a clear management plan and support from our team, we'll help get you back to the things you love sooner.

Give us a call now or click on BOOK AN APPOINTMENT to book online.

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