Thriving with Exercise to Support your Mental Health
xercise is more than just being physically fit; it can support your mental health too as it impacts a person’s overall health. Exercise can be anything from walking to playing a team sport. The great thing about exercise is that location does not matter, and cost can be minimal depending on your desired routine. A person can exercise from home or at a gym depending on exercise goals. Our mental health and physical health complement one another... one can influence the other to thrive. Keep in mind that something as simple as walking in the community can have great benefits with no cost. A simple goal is to get moving as an action step towards being able to tackle stress as part of your plan towards healthy living.
HOW TO THRIVE WITH AN EXERCISE PROGRAM
There are many ways to exercise and gain overall benefits. Always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program. Then, consider your level of fitness and motivation. If you are new to exercise, start off slow then build upon that as you make progress. It will help to think in terms of taking small steps and pick something that would not be too difficult to start. Second, keep in mind this is about enjoyment and improving your overall health, so do things that will lead to consistency. Third, keep the focus on your own progress…do not compare yourself to others. Lastly, learn to enjoy exercise by doing what works for you. This is not a competition against others, but a coping strategy to help you feel better about yourself.
THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE ON MENTAL HEALTH
Exercise has many benefits in regard to a person’s mental health. Some of the benefits regarding the link between exercise and mental health are:
1. Exercise can help in dealing with depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and stress.
2. Exercise helps your mind stay sharp.
3. Exercise can support a healthy self-esteem.
4. Exercise can help regulate your sleep patterns.
5. Exercise can give you a boost of energy
6. Exercise can help you take on challenges
*https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm
These are just a few to name regarding the many benefits a person can receive from exercise. Consider finding exercises that will motivate you, so that you can continue to make progress for yourself. This is one of many coping strategies that can be effective for you as part of your mental health plan.
ADDITONAL RESOURCES
Below are a few websites to help you get started on your journey to better health. Keep in mind that it is about finding what works for you, it is not a race against others. Again, if you have never exercised it is okay to start off with small steps and then progress as you develop a consistent exercise routine. Something that may help along the way in developing a routine is to keep a journal to track your progress. Write down both the mental and physical factors involved in your progress for each day. This could be a good way to determine what is working and not working in regard to your progress. Again, this is one coping strategy that can be part of your bigger plan for taking care of your mental health.
safeteens.org
kidshealth.org
healthychildren.org
Reference:
Lawrence Robinson, Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Melinda Smith, M.A. Last updated: October 2020.
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/the-mental-health-benefits-of-exercise.htm