When people talk about staying healthy, the conversation usually turns to blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, healthy eating or exercise. Mental health often receives less attention.
Many of us are comfortable discussing physical illness, yet far less comfortable talking about stress, worry, loneliness or feeling overwhelmed. We carry these burdens quietly and often accept them as part of modern life.
As part of Multicultural Health Week 2026, NSW Health is encouraging people to think about the connection between physical activity and mental health.
The message is straightforward. Regular movement can help people sleep better, improve energy levels, reduce stress and support overall wellbeing.
Modern life keeps us busy
In our community, life is busy.
Parents balance work and family commitments. Young people face study pressures and the constant presence of social media. Many older adults are managing health problems while adapting to changing family circumstances.
Yet some of the things that help us navigate these challenges are neither expensive nor complicated.
A family walk after dinner.
A weekend cricket match with friends.
Children riding their bikes around the neighbourhood.
A community sports day organised through the local masjid.
Time spent gardening or walking in the park.
These activities may seem ordinary, but they provide an opportunity to step away from daily pressures and reconnect with people around us.
Physical activity is often viewed solely as a way to improve physical fitness.
However, this year’s NSW Multicultural Health Week highlights an important point: movement can also support our mental well-being.
Regular activity has been shown to improve mood, confidence, sleep and concentration across all stages of life.
A benefit at every age
Physical activity offers benefits throughout life.
For children and young people, it supports learning, concentration, confidence and friendships. For adults, it can improve sleep, mood and energy levels.
For older adults, staying active helps maintain independence and supports memory and thinking skills.
As a paediatrician, I often see how strongly children are influenced by the habits of the adults around them. Families who are active together not only improve their physical health but also create opportunities for conversation and shared experiences.
Children do not always need organised sport or expensive activities. Sometimes the best memories come from a simple walk, a game in the backyard or an afternoon at the local park.
For many adults, physical activity also provides something increasingly rare: time away from screens, work pressures and the constant demands of daily life. Whether it is a walk with friends, a swim, a bike ride or a game of soccer, movement creates space to pause and reset.
An amanah worth protecting
As Muslims, there is another perspective worth remembering.
Our bodies are an amanah, a trust from Allah. Looking after our health is not simply about avoiding illness. Good health allows us to care for our families, contribute to our communities and fulfil our responsibilities.
The Prophet Muhammad (s) encouraged strength and moderation. While life today looks very different, those principles remain relevant.
One challenge of modern living is that many of us spend much of the day sitting. We drive to work, sit at desks, return home and then spend the evening in front of screens. Without noticing it, movement becomes something we fit in only when convenient.
Changing this does not require drastic action.
A short walk after Maghrib.
Taking the stairs instead of the lift.
Walking with a friend rather than meeting only for a meal.
Joining a local sporting group.
Spending more time outdoors with family.
Small changes maintained consistently often have a greater impact than ambitious plans that last only a few weeks.
The theme of this year’s Multicultural Health Week is not about athletic performance or intensive exercise programs. It is a reminder that regular movement remains one of the simplest ways to care for both body and mind.
In a world where many people feel constantly rushed, that is a message worth reflecting on.
For readers wanting information in community languages, Multicultural Health Week resources are available in Arabic through the Arabic resource page and in Hindi through the Hindi resource page
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