How Group Movement Fuels Mental Health. It’s Not Just Exercise — It’s Belonging
PREFACE:
This is the seventh piece in Mode Healthcare’s Wellbeing Insights series, informed by the Lululemon Global Wellbeing Report 2024. Here, we explore how physical activity, when done together, becomes more than exercise—it becomes a mechanism for community and resilience.
We often think of movement as a solitary pursuit. A run to clear the mind. A yoga session before work. But increasingly, the data shows that how we move is just as important as whether we move—and moving with others might be the real secret sauce. According to the Lululemon report, individuals who work out in groups or use movement as a social activity experience up to 23% higher wellbeing.
That’s a profound impact for something so accessible. Group walks. Surf clubs. Dance classes. Pick-up footy. These aren’t just hobbies—they’re medicine.
THE SCIENCE OF SWEAT AND SOCIAL BUILDING
When we move with others, our bodies release endorphins and oxytocin—two neurochemicals that lower stress and heighten connection. These shared physical experiences create a rhythm of trust and regulation. They synchronise not just heart rates, but human relationships.
And there’s something deeply ancient about it. From tribal dances to communal farming, we’ve always bonded through movement. In a society that often isolates, reactivating that instinct is powerful.
WHAT WE SEE AT MODE
At Mode, we often see patients with low mood, stagnation, or stress who are trying to move more—but feel stuck. They think they need to go harder, or get back to the gym alone. Instead, we often suggest joining others. Our care plans frequently include low-pressure group movement: walking clubs, gentle pilates, ocean swims with friends. It’s less about reps, more about rhythm. Movement becomes a social nutrient—not a chore.
At Mode, we treat movement as both a physical and emotional intervention. Whether you're feeling unmotivated, disconnected, or just ready to enjoy moving again, our team will help you find the right approach—rooted in evidence, shaped by your life.
At Mode, we’re redefining what it means to feel well.
Rooted in natural therapies and backed by science, we treat the human—not just the symptom. Whether you're feeling stuck, stressed, or simply ready to take your health seriously, our care team is here to guide you gently forward.
We have clinics in Bunbury, Dunsborough, Perth, Bangalow and nationally with our Telehealth Clinic.
Start with a free 20-minute nurse consult to see if Mode is right for you—or book directly with one of our expert doctors to begin treatment today.
