Originally posted 11/23/2020
Welcome to another Mental Health Monday. I started exercising two weeks ago after a much longer hiatus than I would like to admit. I have definitely been less healthy during the pandemic than I could or should have been. I am working to regroup and remember how important healthy choices are to overall mental health. As someone who has struggled with keeping depression and anxiety at bay, making positive choices with exercise, sleep and nutrition are critically important to keeping me going in a healthy direction.
Since I started exercising again, I am sore. Honestly, I hurt. My muscles are heavy and angry. I am trying hard to remind myself that soon it will start feeling better. I know from the times that I have exercised before that I will start to crave the exercise because it makes me feel better both physically and mentally. There are a lot of reasons for this. The endorphins and increased oxygen that flood my body when I exercise, the improvements to my sleep, and the motivation it gives me to improve my nutrition and other habits all contribute to overall positive improvements to my mood. As my mood stays more positive, I am better able to cope with stress, and the positive cycle continues.
There is so much research on this topic, looking at it from every possible angle. I have read some amazing articles about the benefits of exercise to mental health, the chemical reactions in the body that occur with regular activity, and, of course, the physical benefits that come with exercise. As fantastic as the research is and as much as I appreciate the science behind those findings, what has an even stronger impact to me is how great I feel when I’m exercising regularly. There are days when I’m tired, when I’m not feeling it, when I try to talk myself out of it—but I always feel better if I push myself through that feeling and get it moving.
The benefits of exercise grow even more when I have others who are working along with me so we can encourage each other. Walking with my bestie, biking and yoga with an amazing group of friends, or even just knowing that I am accountable to report my exercise for the day to one of my exercise buddies makes so much difference in my motivation and progress. Even in this time of social distancing, exercise doesn’t have to be a solo activity, and I am so thankful for that.
If you are struggling with your mood, do your best to get moving. Even if it is just a short walk, some stretching, a routine online, or an exercise video, any movement that increases the oxygen you are taking in and moves your muscles will lift you up—even if your muscles are a little grumpy as you get going!
Thanks for reading! 😊 EW