The trouble with telling someone they'll feel better if they exercise, is that this piece of advice is rarely accompanied by anything useful like an explanation as to why that is, how to do it, and the best way to get started. I can tell you for a fact that exercise helps me feel better. And by "better", I mean stronger, clearer, kinder, more patient and more calm. I feel more alert and more confident. I believe in myself more and I try harder. That's my "better". Yours might be that you feel less like having a drink or reaching for a sugary treat when you're stressed. It might be that you are more patient with your partner or kinder to your kids. The reality is that it's not always easy to get going and for some it's really freakin hard - like feels impossible hard. Having a plan as to what to do helps. Having a person who is there to help you up and out if need be - maybe just someone to keep you going - really helps. Knowing where you'll go, if anywhere, and what you'll do when you get there is also helpful. All you have to do is start where you are. Begin by moving your fingers. Open your hands and stretch your fingers as wide as you can. Close. Do this five to ten times. Roll the wrists from there. Five times out and then five times in. Reach for the sky next. Alternate reaching as high as you can and keep your spine straight while you are at it. Can you stand? Let's stand. Keep your shoulders back and march. Try not to sway too much. In order to do this, engage your abs. In order to do that, pretend like you have to cough. Those muscles that tighten up, try and maintain that as best you can. Let's do this ten times on each side and then kick your heels up toward your butt ten times on each side as well. Stand tall. If you can, from here, walk. Somewhere, anywhere, everywhere you are able. In place will do just fine. You can read the rest of this later. On the days I struggle getting started the most, this is where I begin. Walking increases blood flow and circulation to the body and brain. Because it has a positive influence on your central nervous system, responsible for stress response, it actually can calm your nerves and make you feel less stressed. I've walked about a lot of worries and in a lot of places. If you have trouble sleeping, walking can help with that too. Exercise routines in general can help with that. I have a client who has what I would consider to be a highly stressful career. He says he sleeps best on the days he works out.
If the thought of getting out to do this gets you down, great news, we live in a time where information and resources are a click or two away. If you have access to the internet and a device you can watch videos on, I have a couple of great websites for you. Personal Training teams that will lead you and guide you through just about any workout safely, and for free. I have been a big fan of Fitness Blender for several years and most recently Hasfit has been my go-to for a lot of stretching and strength workouts. Even to this day, I tune in to workouts I know by heart just to have someone there coaching me and rooting me on. It keeps me accountable and makes the time go by faster.
As helpful as I find exercise to be in maintaining my mental health, it is only part of a formula that I use each and every day to keep myself strong and healthy. If you struggle with mental health, you are not alone. There is help. Don't give up.
Hi
Very nice