Gym closures weigh on British Columbians’ mental health

With gyms closed in B.C. to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, many fitness fans may be itching for a way to get active.

It doesn’t help that most sports teams have called off events, and the ground outside is too snowy and wet to run on safely.

Experts say losing access to your favourite activities can be a burden on your mental health.

Dr. Leigh Vanderloo with ParticipACTION is a scientist and knowledge translation manager, meaning she presents medical and scientific information to the public. Her background is in pediatric exercise medicine.

“We’re doing what we can to play our role in helping support the health and wellness of people living in Canada from a physical activity perspective, but by extension, really from a mental health and social connectivity perspective,” says Vanderloo.

ParticipACTION looks at how those areas of life can be improved through daily physical movement.

And when people don’t have accessible ways to do that, it can be detrimental to their mental wellness.

Related Articles:

• B.C. gym owners hoping for quick reopening in New Year

• Combat confusion: Some boxing facilities included in closure order

• Gym openly defying public health order on fitness centres

Vanderloo says gyms, rec centres, and other sporting arenas and practice spots are not only places to work out, but also to socialize and make friends.

“A lot of people had to get creative with other ways on how to get active,” she says.

“Oftentimes, going to the gym, going to a fitness class, that was an important outlet for them. And so now being at home, especially if you’re living with other people or with kids, that became a major area: How do you try to carve out time just for yourself to get active?”

She suggests parents struggling with finding the time to get fit bring their kids along with them and choose an activity everyone can enjoy.

“That was a great opportunity for co-participation as well as healthy behaviour modeling, which we know is key to helping support the creation of healthy habits in young kids and teens so they can carry that throughout their lifespan,” says Vanderloo.

Our latest Report Card on Physical Activity for Adults, released today, highlights the impact COVID-19 has had on physical activity levels & how Canada faces a physical inactivity crisis deepened by the pandemic. Learn more: https://t.co/iNSv1IGynK#AdultReportCard pic.twitter.com/FBJsUTDH0t

— participaction (@ParticipACTION) November 30, 2021

Concern about the pandemic has also made it harder for some people to feel safe leaving the house. While the weather isn’t exactly inviting this winter, she does suggest getting outside for a brisk walk if possible.

“On the flip side, if we look to sedentary behaviours, we’ve seen quite a hefty increase … in sitting, and certainly an increase in screen time,” says Vanderloo.

“Some of that has been out of necessity of course, because we’ve shifted to working remotely as well as virtual learning, and so we had to use screens that much more.”

The holiday break is a great moment to do self-care. Let’s break down what #selfcare is and isn’t and put it into practice with our printable guide. #MentalHealth #Wellbeing https://t.co/tFL4XLPA57

— CMHA National (@CMHA_NTL) December 27, 2021

Physical activity produces “feel-good” hormones like adrenaline and neurotransmitters like serotonin in the brain. It can relax your muscles, decrease anxiety and depression symptoms, and boost self-esteem too.

“All movement is good movement, something is better than nothing, and more is always better,” she says.

Start slow if you’re coming back to fitness for the first time in a while, choose something you love, and develop a routine for best results, Vanderloo suggests.

Activity sheets and other resources for getting started are available on ParticipACTION’s website.