Exercise For Positive Mental Health during The Covid-19 Crisis

Exercise For Positive Mental Health during The Covid-19 Crisis

In this isolation period it is more important than ever to look after our mental health. We are all currently facing stressful life challenges – aside from worrying about our health, some of us have no income, limited social contact and are feeling lonely. The fear of the unknown is terrifying and every time we turn to the media we hear doom and gloom. There are lots of ways to practice self care to help combat issues with mental health but I want to talk about the importance of exercise during this time.

We all know that exercise is good for our bodies. But it’s also effective in dealing with depression, anxiety and stress. People who exercise regularly tend to do so because it gives them an enormous sense of well-being. They feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives. It’s addictive and is the perfect mood booster.

No matter your age or fitness level, you can learn to use exercise as a powerful tool to feel better. Since the body and mind are so closely linked, when your body feels better so, too, will your mind.

Exercise is also a powerful tool when fighting depression. I read an article recently explaining how even 15 minutes of exercise can promote all kinds of changes in the brain; including neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm. When you exercise you release endorphins (powerful chemicals in your brain) that make you feel good. Activity can also serve as a distraction, allowing you to find some quiet time to break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression.

Keep it real. You don’t need to devote hours out of your day to train. The government tell us that you can reap all the physical and mental health benefits of exercise with 30-minutes of moderate exercise five times a week. I think it’s even less than that – just a few minutes of physical activity are better than none at all. If you don’t have time for 15 or 30 minutes of exercise, or if your body tells you to take a break after 5 or 10 minutes, for example, that’s okay. Start with small  sessions and slowly increase your time. The more you exercise, the more energy you’ll have, so eventually you’ll feel ready to do more. The key is commitment.

Common barriers to exercise:

• You are exhausted
• You can’t be bothered
• You feel hopeless – what’s the point?
• You feel bad about yourself
• You feel pain
• You compare yourself to others

When you’re under a cloud and have no motivation it is tricky to break the negative cycle. My advice is to start small and set achievable goals (even a short walk can help clear your mind, improve your mood, and boost your energy levels). Schedule in your workout and perhaps at a time of the day when you feel most energised. For me this is the morning. Focus on something you enjoy! This could be gardening, cleaning the car or a bike ride with the kids. It’s all exercise!

Remember, you don’t have to carry on with exercises that you hate! Sometimes, a new fitness routine can be the motivation you need to reach your goals. Currently, we are offering a free 30 minutes online consultation – if you are interested, then please click here to get in touch and book a free online consultation.

Even if the only thing you do today is spend 5 minutes thinking about how you can incorporate exercise into your daily routine then that’s an amazing start!

If you need any motivation or want to chat to me please call. I’m happy to help. Please call me on: 07734263913