Well, hello there Fitness Friends. Since I took a blog break last year, I’ve made it a point to come back around to exercise and movement and how they relate to wellness. That doesn’t mean that I am going to completely stop talking about the benefits to other Dimensions of Wellness that exercise provides. And as it’s Mental Health Awareness Month, now is the perfect time.
A caveat before we dive in: I am a trained Exercise Physiologist, not a psychologist or other mental health professional. I am relying on data driven research. And when I do turn to opinion, I will do my best to note that they are based on my own personal experiences.
I have extolled the virtues of exercise as it relates to our Mental Health Dimension a lot over the years. There is a plethora of research data that demonstrates exercise effects on focus, concentration, thought clarity, creativity, and memory. All of which are good things. But exercise offers more tangible benefits, especially during times of stress.
I think most of us can relate to the feeling that there is so much swirling in our brains that it sort of paralyzes the body. We don’t know what to do and we end up either focusing on the wrong things or ruminating on what we should be doing. Or, if you run like me, sometimes both.
Instead of letting your brain do the proverbial running, though, let your body. Getting the body moving gives your brain an outlet. Something to focus on that is productive. Sure, it may not be what you’d prefer, but occupying some part of your physical self will distract your mental self for a bit.
Exercise has added bonuses of improving mood and aiding in sleep. Sure, the mental and emotional stress might still be there when you are done lifting heavy things, but you won’t feel as helpless or hopeless. The endorphins from movement can provide just enough of a boost to change your outlook. Or at least keep you moving forward.
And when your brain has the swirlies, you know sleep ain’t easy. By tiring the physical body, you are more likely to get a modicum of decent quality sleep. Again, it might not be your usual, but rest is critical and things tend to look different after a decent night’s sleep.
Now, before you let me know how difficult it is to exercise when the world is falling down around you, let me assure you, I know. I’ve managed to continue an exercise routine through two different cross state moves and several job changes. When I was dealing with postpartum depression, I walked. A lot. I worked out through a pandemic and when I was dealing with panic attacks, I focused on yoga.
This is not to toot my own horn, though. In every single one of these circumstances, I was not exercising every day. I was not actually training for anything. I was consciously choosing which types of exercise to engage in. (I learned the hard way that strength training was triggering panic attacks for a bit.)
And this is the point. Exercise and movement are tools to manage stress. These tools are there to help create the sweet spot where you have the relief you need but are able to maintain the reserves to continue living your life. As is my usual schtick, exercise is meant to add to your life, not subtract from it. What is your favorite way to use these tools during times of mental stress?
