For those struggling to overcome mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, stress and conditions such as PTSD and more, it’s not quite as simple as just being told to exercise. The obstacles to effective physical exertion are very real. However, there are many things that can be done to address these, helping you to move forward and integrate the benefits into your day-to-day life.
Common Barriers
When you’re not feeling yourself, even the thought of carrying out exercise can be stressful. Many common barriers that prevent carrying out exercise include:
- Being in pain: This can, of course, be a very big deal indeed. Pain, for any reason, shouldn’t be ignored and the best way forward is to discuss how to gently introduce exercise into your life. This could be by the discovery of non-impact activity, gentle movements that can be carried out while seated, exercising in water etc. Take advice from your healthcare provider and/or those who’re experienced in rehabilitation (such as a physio or sports specialist).
- Feeling overwhelmed: This is a common symptom of many mental health issues, and adding the concept of exercise into the mix might just be a step too far. But rather than thinking about what you can’t do, start thinking about what you can, and probably already are, doing. Do you walk the kids to school? Vacuum the house? Mow the grass? Do the washing up? Dance to a tune on the radio? All of these are physical activities, and if you don’t feel that you’re able to add in structured exercise quite yet, simply add a minute or two onto the end of everyday tasks. Do that over a period of a few days and weeks and you’ll be increasing your exertions without even trying.
- Low self-esteem: Feeling that you can’t exercise because, for example, you’re too old/too unfit/too overweight/people will laugh/it won’t make a difference etc can be a real challenge. Try to link up with like-minded people, perhaps joining a group (either in reality or virtually) who empathise and will provide encouragement and help with fitness goals in small, achievable steps.
- Feelings of hopelessness: When you’re at your lowest ebb the thought of carrying out exercise can seem nigh-on impossible. Once again, small and slow is the key to success. Try a walk up to the end of the street, download a simple 30-day fitness challenge that you can carry out at home, run up the stairs each time instead of walk. Small, bite-sized chunks are key, and every time you achieve even the tiniest of goals it has a hugely positive effect on your mental health.
Getting Started: The hardest step
The most difficult stage of exercise is getting started. This applies to those in good mental health as well, meaning that it’s amplified for those struggling with their psychological well-being. However, no matter how impossible it might feel right now, there are strategic steps you can take to introduce regular exercise into your life and benefit from the incredible advantages it brings.
- Start small: The overriding theme is that of baby steps. The last thing you need is to put yourself under any unnecessary stress, and that includes trying to fit in three gym sessions, swims or runs each week, or hitting government targets.
- Think about what you enjoy: If you hate running, don’t run. Same applies for swimming or whatever else fills you with dread. But perhaps you enjoy dancing, or love the feeling of being the fresh air. The key to exercise is to do an activity that’s fun – that way you’re less likely to consider it a chore and be more likely to feel motivated to increase your activity levels.
- Exercise at the best time of day for you: When do you have the most energy? When you first get up? Later in the day? There’s no right or wrong time to exercise, and remember that the shortest of bouts (dance to a song on the radio, for example) all add up.
- Make exercise social: The company of others can be a real boost. Sure, you might not want to join a class at the gym, but how about buddying up with a friend to go for a walk? Get the kids to join in if you have them, or ask a family member to exercise with you and help provide motivation. Companionship is an important step when suffering from mental health problems, so working out with a pal means you’re hitting not one, but two important factors that aid your recovery.
Ask the Experts
Professionals in the fitness industry are well aware how important physical activity is in regard to mental wellbeing. In addition, there are those who have a particular interest and expertise in helping those who suffer manage to integrate exercise into their life. The staff at Bailey Fitness will be delighted to work with you to discover what you enjoy and the steps needed to gently introduce the power of exercise to help you move forward.
The hardest part is getting started, so visit https://www.baileyfitness.com.au and take the vital first step necessary to kick start your journey towards great mental health.
