Mental health awareness week
It’s mental health awareness week and there’s never been such an apt time to focus on how we are feeling and our emotional health. We are into week 9 of lockdown in the UK now. There are many things to feel hopeful for whilst balancing the natural feelings of anxiety and worry I am sure we are all experiencing.
Exercise makes us feel great
I was thinking about exercise and movement has such a crucial role to play for people at the moment. Movement in any shape or form is a natural mood enhancer, lifting our spirits and making us feel good in the moment and for hours after. Some of the many positives include increases in feelings of happiness, boosted self-esteem, increased productivity, more creativity, higher energy levels, improved efficiency, tolerance and improved self-perception.
Regular physical activity also makes us less prone to illness by strengthening our immune systems, assists us in having healthy sleep patterns, reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as decreasing stress and irritability. See my recent post on the Joy of Movement for more on how exercise makes us feel good.
Top 5 tips to find motivation to exercise
Sometimes it’s really hard to muster the motivation to exercise when we feel really low and depressed (I have been there myself). It’s the last thing we want to do even though it is one of the things which will make us feel better, and I promise it will. Here are my top 5 tips for getting some movement into your life if you are struggling with your mental health at the moment:
- Any form of movement works! You don’t have to sweat profusely or get your heart rate up to max to feel the benefits of movement. It doesn’t have to feel like a chore either. Everytime you move your muscles you will feel the benefits. Do something you love like putting on your favourite songs and dancing round your living room.
- Fit more activity into your day. Can you embrace any opportunity to move in your own home throughout the day? Go up and down the stairs 2 more times than usual. Do a couple of squats each time you boil your kettle. Get out in the garden, if you are lucky enough to have outdoor space, and do some digging.
- Try not to expect too much of yourself. Give yourself the time and the space to do what feels right. Take small steps and set realistic goals. You might not be able to do a whole 5k run but could you go out for a 10 minute walk instead? You were fully intending on doing a high intensity workout on Zoom but you couldn’t muster the energy but instead a yoga class seems like a good alternative. If you don’t want people looking at you in an online class then turn off your video. It’s perfectly acceptable to do this. It’s all about being kind to yourself at the moment.
- Get outside as much as possible. Embrace the new rules and get out into green spaces for walks, jogs or runs. If you feel self-conscious remember that everyone else is far too occupied with what they look like than to worry about you. Instead of sitting on the sofa for your phone call to a friend why not talk and walk? Being outside in green space has proven benefits for mental health and is a natural mood lifter. Coupled with exercise it’s a double whammy of feel goodness!
- Celebrate your achievements. Give yourself a big well done hug for getting out and moving! However, if you don’t manage to do what you set out to do, don’t beat yourself up, be kind to yourself and set a realistic goal for the next day.
If you want try try a fun workout to uplifting music join my power ballad workout on zoom each Thursday at 7pm. Videos off is absolutely fine! See my fitness training page for details.
