Exercise and Mental Health after Immigrating to Canada

 

Exercise and mental health are important to manage after arriving in Canada. Canadians greatly value physical well-being. So, each city has health and fitness clubs and sport-based community centres. We’ll look at options to improve your mental health and adapt to life in Canada successfully. Some of the private, brand-name clubs may have high membership fees. However, they may also provide a pool, private training, saunas, tanning booths, and a more private environment. So, if this is important to you, you may want to consider if it fits your budget.

Community Fitness Centres Offer Many Programs

Community fitness centres are more affordable than private gyms. Municipalities run local community centres that offer facilities and programs for families, children, and seniors. You can visit your city’s website to find sports programs, arts and crafts classes, and dance lessons that suit your schedule and budget. 

City-run programs are often the most affordable. The YMCA and Boys and Girls Club also offer recreational programs for your children. There are also sports leagues for children and adults, such as soccer, baseball, and hockey.

Team sports are a great way for adults and children to meet new friends in the community!

The easy and affordable way to get exercise is right outside your door.  Canadians enjoy nature for exercise and mental health, and you’ll find many parks, hiking trails, and other outdoor escapes in your community. Public parks provide well-maintained playgrounds, walking trails, and campgrounds.

It can be exciting to venture out and go on long drives to explore your province. British Columbia, for example, is much more diverse than just the city of Vancouver! Explore beyond the urban centres and big cities.  Acquaint yourself with small towns and the well-kept traditions of First Nations settlements.

How to Improve Your Mental Health

If you are struggling with mental health, talk to your family physician. They can refer you to a specialist for the support you may need. Some mental health services are covered under the provincial health care system. However, prevention is key to maintaining strong mental health when settling in Canada.

Upon settling in Canada, you may have doubts about your decision to immigrate. You may feel anxious, homesick, lonely, and frustrated. If you have language difficulties and few ties to your ethnic community, you may experience feelings of isolation.

You may also compare Canada to your home country and point out everything you feel was better back home. Such stress can trigger depressive or anxious symptoms, including insomnia, changes in eating habits, or misuse of alcohol or drugs. These tips can help you cope:

1. Build Your Social Life

If you don’t know anyone in Canada, connect with settlement agencies to help you adjust and adapt to life in Canada with ease.

Build a supportive network in Canada and maintain your contacts at home. Participate in social activities to meet new people. For example, join the gym or take dance classes to meet others, get exercise, and improve your mental health.

You need a social life and friends. People you can trust, confide in, party with, relax, travel, and do things you can’t do at work. It’s a vital feel-good factor. We all love to have some downtime, and that’s when you will crave your social circle the most. So, invest some time to get to know the:

Canadian culture and society

Neighbourhoods

Language.

Join your neighbourhood library, for example. Public libraries host regular free events where you can meet and interact with other people. Or, find events happening throughout the city. Never hurts to travel a bit. You’ll get to know your city better.

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2. Avoid Comparing

It’s normal to miss home and realize that Canada is not exactly like the country you left behind. Some of the good things you had at home may not be available here; no country is perfect. Focus on the positives.

3. Manage Your Budget Carefully

Shrinking savings are one of the major sources of stress for new immigrants. Avoid overspending to minimize financial stress, especially when you first arrive. This will help manage your money and stretch your savings while searching for a job. Also, avoid the trap of comparing Canadian prices with those in your home country. “Back home, this or that costs a lot less” — this mindset can only put you in a bad mood.

4. Get Involved to Improve Mental Health

A great way to stay positive is to devote yourself to others. Volunteering offers many benefits to newcomers. When you volunteer for an organization or cause that interests you, you’ll make friends, gain a sense of community, and learn new skills. And guess what? Volunteering is a great way to gain Canadian work experience to add to your resumé.

5. Keep Realistic Expectations

 

Success won’t happen overnight. You may not find a job that matches the status you had in your home country. It’s no piece of cake even for Canadian-born citizens to reach a higher professional level.

Accept that it takes time and that you may have to start at a lower position and work your way up.  All this being said, it is still normal to feel confused and scared occasionally. Acknowledge your feelings, but don’t let them overwhelm you.

Understanding the importance of exercise and mental health will help you adapt to Canada successfully. With options available, getting the exercise you enjoy and enhancing your mental health will help you adapt to life in Canada.

WRITTEN BY

Corinna Frattini

Senior Editor, Prepare for Canada

Corinna Frattini is the Senior Editor and Content Director for Prepare for Canada. She contributes articles to help newcomers achieve their goals in key areas related to living, working, and settling in Canada. With an extensive background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.

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