Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo

Mental Health at McMaster

McMaster Okanagan Office of Health & Well-being

Physical Activity and Mental Health

Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, and ADHD. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, boosts your overall mood, and you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic to reap the benefits. Research indicates that modest amounts of exercise can make a real difference. No matter your age or fitness level, you can learn to use exercise as a powerful tool to deal with mental health problems, improve your energy and outlook, and get more out of life.

Being Active at McMaster

Athletics & Recreation Learn More

Athletics & Recreation offers a wide variety of fitness classes, access to the Pulse fitness centre, intramural sports, certification courses, and aid in its rehabilitation centre.

#MacMoves Learn More

#MacMoves is a McMaster-wide initiative created to promote an active and healthy campus. In October 2021, McMaster ran its first #MacMoves Week.

Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE) Learn More

PACE offers five research-based exercise programs to serve seniors and people living with cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries.

Physical Activity Resources at McMaster

Being Active on Campus Learn More

Read this quick guide to learn where you can be active on campus.

David Braley Sport Medicine & Rehabilitation Centre Learn More

The David Braley Sport Medicine & Rehabilitation Centre is a world class facility located on the McMaster University campus, in the David Braley Athletic Centre. The Sport Medicine Centre is open to McMaster athletes, students, faculty, staff, and the Greater Hamilton Area community.

Intramural Sports Learn More

A chance to play for everyone – sport leagues, tournaments, fun and friendship for all abilities. No tryouts, no coaches, no cuts. If you want to play, you can play! Teams and Free Agents register for the sports of their choice and can expect to play one game per week

Instructional Programs Learn More

Want to try yoga, ballroom dancing, or martial arts? McMaster’s extensive instructional programming has it all! Sign up to try your first class today.

Nature @ McMaster Learn More

Nature @ McMaster assists with the land management of natural areas related to trails and invasive and native species management on McMaster University property, runs hiking events, stewardship projects as well as classroom and outdoor learning programming.

Physical Activity Research at McMaster

A group of older adults exercises indoors using Pilates balls.

Research shows myriad benefits of exercise … so why don’t we move more?

When Jennifer Heisz talks about the health benefits of exercise, you can take her word on it. Not only is Heisz a Canada Research Chair and the . . .

Research shows myriad benefits of exercise … so why don’t we move more?: Read More
A jogger running solo past a big puddle that reflects them

In the News: Martin Gibala on high-intensity interval training

Don’t let the name fool you. High-intensity interval training, or HIIT, doesn’t have to be that all that intense. Martin Gibala, professor at McMaster’s department . . .

In the News: Martin Gibala on high-intensity interval training: Read More