Supporting Mental Health Through Movement – Understanding Psychosis
- Suzanne
- Apr 3
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 7
1. Definition: What is Psychosis?
Psychosis is a term used to describe a set of experiences that affect how a person interprets reality. It can involve changes in thoughts, perceptions, emotions, and behaviour, and may feel confusing, overwhelming, and distressing.
For some people, psychosis may include experiences such as hallucinations (seeing, hearing, feeling, or sensing things that others do not), or delusions (strong beliefs that feel completely real but are not based in shared reality). It can also affect thinking patterns, making it harder to concentrate, process information, or organise thoughts clearly.
People may also experience heightened sensitivity to their environment, including noise, light, or sensory input, which can quickly become overwhelming. Alongside this, fatigue, sleep disruption, anxiety, and low mood are also common.
Psychosis affects everyone differently. Some people may experience a single episode, while others may have recurring periods where symptoms fluctuate in intensity. These changes can happen gradually or quite suddenly, and can feel disorienting when they occur.
Although psychosis can feel frightening and isolating, it is a recognised mental health condition and support is available. Many people manage their symptoms with a combination of medical care, psychological support, and strategies that help them feel more grounded and regulated in daily life.
These experiences can sometimes affect a person’s sense of stability, awareness, and comfort in their body, which may influence how movement and exercise feel day to day.
2. What Causes Psychosis?
The exact cause of psychosis is not fully understood. It is thought to develop due to a combination of different factors rather than one single reason.
These may include changes in brain chemistry and how the brain processes information, as well as how the nervous system responds to stress. For some people, psychosis can be linked to underlying mental health conditions, physical illness, trauma, or significant periods of stress.
There are also certain factors that may increase vulnerability, such as genetic predisposition, sleep disruption, substance use, or experiencing other long-term health conditions. However, not everyone with these risk factors will experience psychosis.
Episodes can sometimes be triggered or made worse by stress, lack of sleep, or major life changes. For others, symptoms may appear without any clear trigger.
Psychosis is a health condition, and symptoms are real and can fluctuate over time. Understanding this can help reduce stigma and support more compassionate, person-centred approaches to care and wellbeing.
There is also often variation in how symptoms present, which means support needs and daily experiences can differ widely from person to person.
3. Focus
For people experiencing psychosis, everyday movement can sometimes feel more challenging due to changes in perception, thinking, and how the body processes sensory information. Environments may feel overstimulating, and it can be harder to concentrate, process instructions, or feel fully grounded in the body.
Because of this, a supportive approach to movement is important - one that prioritises safety, predictability, and choice.
Gentle, structured movement can help create a sense of routine and grounding. Exercises that are slow, clearly guided, and easy to follow may feel more accessible, especially when they are adapted to suit energy levels and concentration on any given day.
In the context of Mobilates, this is why we emphasise options to work lying down, seated, or standing, and why we encourage people to move in a way that feels manageable rather than fixed or prescriptive. Having the ability to pause, rest, or modify movements at any time is key.
Some people may find that mindful, breath-led movement and simple mobility work can help them feel more connected to their body, particularly when symptoms feel overwhelming or disorienting. However, this will vary from person to person, and movement should always be guided by individual comfort and preference.
This can sometimes affect how comfortable or confident someone feels when engaging in exercise or group movement settings.
The aim is not performance or intensity, but rather creating a safe and supportive space where movement can be explored gently, with flexibility and understanding.
4. Exercise Tips
When supporting people experiencing psychosis, a gentle and flexible approach to movement is key. Symptoms can fluctuate, and energy, concentration, and sensory tolerance may change from day to day. Because of this, it’s important that exercise feels adaptable rather than fixed or demanding.
Creating a calm and predictable environment can make movement feel more accessible. Choosing familiar exercises, clear instructions, and slower pacing can help reduce cognitive load and support focus.
In Mobilates sessions, we always encourage options to work lying down, seated, or standing. This is especially helpful when someone may feel overwhelmed or less grounded, as it allows them to choose the position that feels most stable and supportive in that moment.
Some people may find it helpful to:
Keep movements slow, simple, and clearly structured
Focus on one instruction at a time rather than multiple steps
Use rest breaks whenever needed, without pressure to keep pace
Work within a comfortable sensory environment where possible (lighting, sound, space)
Repeat familiar movements to support confidence and reduce cognitive effort
Prioritise feeling grounded and safe over completing full sequences
For online classes, it can also help to adjust the way you view the session on screen. Some people may prefer gallery view so they can see the whole class and feel more connected to others, while others may find speaker view easier to focus on one instructor at a time. There is no right or wrong option - choosing what feels most comfortable for you can help reduce distraction and support focus during movement.
Breath-led movement and gentle mobility work may also support a sense of calm and connection to the body, but this will vary from person to person. There is no expectation to achieve a certain level or intensity, the focus is always on comfort, choice, and self-awareness.
As with all Mobilates sessions, movement should be adaptable, person-centred, and responsive to how someone is feeling on the day.
5. Exercises to Try
The following movements are gentle, adaptable, and can be done lying down, seated, or standing depending on what feels most comfortable.
The focus is on keeping movement simple, steady, and supportive, there is no pressure to complete everything.
1. Heel Presses
Gently activate the legs and support circulation.
Lie down or sit with your feet supported.
Gently press your heels into the floor, then release.
You can do both feet together or one at a time.
2. Shoulder Rolls
Release tension and encourage gentle movement.
Sit or stand comfortably.
Lift the shoulders slightly, roll them back, and release.
Keep the movement slow and relaxed.
3. Arm Slides
Encourage gentle upper body movement without strain.
Sit or lie comfortably.
Slide one hand along your leg or out to the side, then return.
Repeat on the other side.
4. Side Reach
Relieve tightness and explore movement in a small range.
Sit comfortably.
Reach one arm out to the side or slightly overhead, then return.
Keep the movement small and controlled.
5. Seated Weight Shift
Support balance and body awareness in a gentle way.
Sit with both feet on the floor.
Gently shift your weight from one side to the other.
Keep the movement slow and within a comfortable range.
6. Seated Roll Down
Encourage gentle spinal movement and controlled transitions.
Sit comfortably with feet on the floor.Take a breath in.
As you breathe out, slowly begin to roll forward through the spine, letting the head and shoulders gently follow.Pause at the bottom if it feels comfortable.
To come back up, gently press the feet into the floor and slowly roll back up to sitting.
Keep the movement small and controlled, it does not need to be a full roll down.Move slowly and pause at any point if needed.
Gentle reminder
You can keep your eyes open, take breaks at any time, or choose to rest instead.
Movement can be as small as you need it to be and some days, stillness is just as valuable.
6. Final Thought
Experiences of psychosis can feel complex and deeply individual, and no two people will experience them in exactly the same way. Because of this, movement and exercise will also look different from person to person and may change from day to day.
What matters most is creating space for movement that feels safe, accessible, and supportive in the moment, without pressure or expectation. Some days this may involve structured exercise, while on others it may simply be about rest, grounding, or very gentle movement.
At Mobilates, we recognise the importance of choice, adaptability, and person-centred movement. Being able to work in a way that suits your body, your environment, and your current experience can help support confidence and reduce overwhelm.
There is no “right” level of movement to achieve - only what feels appropriate and manageable for you.
Above all, movement should feel like an option available to you, not something you have to meet or perform. Every small step, pause, or moment of awareness is valid.
7. Member Comment
"Living with psychosis can sometimes mean that everyday environments and experiences feel more intense, unpredictable, or harder to process. For me, this has meant learning to notice early signs of change, and trying to respond with care rather than pressure.
Movement has become one of the ways I support myself — not as something I have to do, but as something I can return to when it feels right. On more difficult days, this might simply mean gentle grounding, breathing, or very small, familiar movements that help me feel more connected to my body and surroundings.
Having options is important. Being able to choose how I move, or whether I move at all, helps reduce overwhelm and supports a sense of control.
What I have learned is that movement does not need to be big or structured to be meaningful — sometimes the smallest, calmest forms of movement are the most supportive."
8. Further Information & Guidance
If you would like to learn more about psychosis, the following organisations provide reliable information and support:
The NHS offers clear information about symptoms, causes, and treatment options, as well as guidance on when to seek help.
Mind provides detailed resources, lived experience information, and support for people experiencing psychosis and other mental health conditions.
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical advice, information, and support services for individuals and families affected by psychosis.
If you are experiencing symptoms or are concerned about your mental health, it is important to seek advice from a healthcare professional or support service.
You can read other blogs in this series using the links below:
Mobilates CIC provides inclusive, adapted exercise for people living with long term health conditions, chronic pain, fatigue and disability.
We create safe, welcoming spaces to move, connect and build confidence in what your body CAN do, whether you join a class in person, online, or from your bed. We’re led by lived experience and powered by community. Together, we’re redefining what movement can look like.
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