A New Path to Healing
For many veterans, the battle doesn’t end when they return home. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can persist for years—manifesting as nightmares, anxiety, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness. While traditional talk therapy and medication remain the primary treatments, they are not always accessible, comfortable, or effective for every veteran. A growing body of research is now pointing to an unexpected ally in the fight against PTSD: movement.
At Warriors Fund, we recognize that healing doesn’t look the same for everyone. That’s why we’re bringing attention to the transformative role exercise can play in recovery. Physical activity—whether it’s a structured gym workout, a brisk morning walk, or martial arts training—is proving to be more than just a way to stay in shape. It’s becoming a crucial tool in trauma recovery. And for veterans who may be hesitant to enter a therapist’s office, it can offer a stigma-free path toward healing.
Understanding PTSD Among Veterans
PTSD is a serious and complex condition that affects many who have served in the armed forces. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about 11-20% of veterans who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom experience PTSD in a given year. The number rises even higher among those who served in Vietnam. Symptoms often include flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, insomnia, and irritability—all of which can impair daily functioning and quality of life.
While therapy and medication can be life-changing for some, many veterans avoid traditional mental health treatmentdue to stigma, limited availability in rural areas, or a lack of trust in the system. This creates a critical gap in care—one that alternative, non-clinical approaches like exercise are beginning to fill.
Why Exercise Matters
Recent studies have started to validate what many veterans have discovered firsthand: exercise can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms. In fact, a 2022 report from the VA’s Office of Research and Development found that physical activity can lower the severity of PTSD across all four major symptom categories. Veterans who participated in structured exercise programs reported improvements in mood, sleep, and emotional regulation.
Beyond anecdotal accounts, peer-reviewed research published in Frontiers in Public Health has highlighted how physical activity—particularly aerobic exercise—can enhance brain function, reduce fear memory, and promote neuroplasticity in individuals with PTSD. The benefits are not merely psychological; exercise also contributes to overall physical health, reducing blood pressure, increasing cardiovascular capacity, and helping prevent comorbidities such as obesity and diabetes.
What makes this method even more compelling is its accessibility. Unlike clinical treatments that may require appointments, insurance, or long travel times, many forms of exercise can be done at home, outdoors, or with minimal equipment. It’s flexible, affordable, and empowering.
The Science Behind Movement and Mental Health
Exercise doesn’t just help the body—it reshapes the mind. Researchers have found that physical activity, particularly aerobic exercises like running, cycling, and brisk walking, can trigger neurobiological changes that directly affect how the brain processes trauma. According to Frontiers in Public Health, regular aerobic exercise enhances neurogenesis (the growth of new brain cells), supports emotional regulation, and decreases the strength of fear-based memories—three factors crucial for PTSD recovery.
What’s more, exercise increases the production of endorphins and serotonin, which are brain chemicals associated with improved mood and reduced anxiety. These changes can help veterans better manage symptoms such as hyperarousal and intrusive thoughts. In fact, one review published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that those who engaged in consistent physical activity reported notable reductions in PTSD symptom severity, including sleep disturbances and avoidance behaviors.
Just as important as the biological benefits are the psychological ones. Many veterans feel more in control and capable when they set and achieve physical goals—whether that means completing a lap around the park or progressing through martial arts ranks. This sense of mastery and agency is vital in restoring confidence that trauma may have stripped away.
Different Paths, Shared Benefits
While any form of movement can be therapeutic, certain modalities appear particularly effective for veterans with PTSD. One approach growing in popularity is walking groups. They’re low-cost, inclusive, and foster peer connection—vital for those who may feel isolated. Even brief, regular walks have been associated with better mood, clearer thinking, and a decreased sense of alienation.
Martial arts, including tai chi, jiu-jitsu, and kickboxing, also provide profound benefits. These practices blend physical discipline with mindfulness, teaching veterans to remain present, regulate breathing, and stay calm under pressure. A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information noted that tai chi, in particular, improves balance, mental clarity, and emotional control, making it an excellent tool for those managing PTSD.
Structured gym programs, especially those offered in small group formats, are another effective option. They provide accountability, build camaraderie, and often mimic the teamwork and routine veterans experienced during service. These shared spaces can transform a solo struggle into a communal effort toward healing and growth.
Beyond the Therapy Room
Many veterans are reluctant to seek help in a traditional clinical setting. For some, the sterile environment feels impersonal; for others, past negative experiences or internalized stigma may create a barrier. That’s why non-clinical interventions like exercise are so important—they allow veterans to take control of their healing journey in environments that feel safe and familiar.
Programs centered around movement also give veterans the opportunity to reconnect with their communities, rediscover their strengths, and find a sense of normalcy that trauma may have disrupted. Whether it’s a peaceful morning walk, an intense boxing session, or a group fitness class at the local gym, these activities help restore what PTSD often tries to take away—hope, structure, and connection.
Real-Life Resilience: Veterans Moving Toward Recovery
The science may be compelling, but it’s the real-world experiences of veterans that bring this topic to life. Across the country, veterans are discovering how movement can shift their mental and emotional state—sometimes in ways that years of silence couldn’t.
One example comes from an Army veteran featured in VA News, who struggled with depression, PTSD, and isolation after returning home. He found traditional therapy overwhelming and impersonal, but after joining a supervised exercise program at a VA facility, he began to feel more in control. “I wasn’t just surviving anymore—I felt like I was doing something again,” he said. This sense of progress, however small, made all the difference.
The power of movement isn’t about lifting heavy weights or running marathons. It’s about consistent, accessible steps that restore rhythm and confidence. For many veterans, especially those who don’t feel comfortable in mental health clinics, these non-clinical strategies provide a dignified path to stability.
How Communities Can Support the Movement
At Warriors Fund, we believe that building veteran resilience is a shared responsibility. While we spotlight the personal power of exercise, it’s also essential to recognize the role that community infrastructure plays. Public parks, community centers, martial arts studios, and fitness facilities can all become part of a veteran’s recovery network.
Local businesses and organizations can get involved by:
Small changes can lead to powerful outcomes. Whether it's as simple as posting a sign that says “Veterans Welcome” or as involved as developing structured wellness programs, these gestures reinforce that veterans are seen, supported, and valued.
A Path Forward
As more veterans turn to physical activity to cope with PTSD, it’s time for communities, health providers, and advocacy groups to take notice. Movement is more than just exercise—it’s medicine, connection, and renewal. It’s a bridge between trauma and healing, between isolation and community.
At Warriors Fund, we’re committed to promoting and expanding access to movement-based mental health strategies. Whether it’s through raising awareness, partnering with veteran-friendly spaces, or advocating for inclusive wellness programs, we know that healing doesn’t only happen in therapy rooms—it happens on trails, in gyms, and in parks across the country.
We encourage every veteran to explore the possibilities that movement can bring. And for those who stand beside them—friends, family, community leaders—your support can make that first step a little easier.
