"There are many reasons why physical activity is good for your body - having a healthy heart and improving your joints and bones are just two, but did you know that physical activity is also beneficial for your mental health and well being?"(1)
Although we are currently living through the scariest and most bizarre of times, I believe there is a silver lining.
People have become much more aware of their physical and mental health and the need to exercise daily. It's now become a "thing" to get some exercise everyday, which has been pushed by the government during lock-down. I love this! People who have never thought about it before are becoming more aware of the need for physical activity, and it's importance to our overall well-being.
Going out for a walk each day, doing a workout in your living room, or getting stuck into some gardening. It's important to remember that exercising doesn't necessarily mean dressing in Lycra and joining a local gym. There are hundreds of ways you can be active around the home. As a busy mum, I know that house work can be one of them! Putting on my favourite tunes while hoovering can make it a much nicer chore, and scrubbing the bathroom tiles is actually a fantastic cardio workout!
Staying active in some way is always important for our well-being, but it matters now more than ever. It can sometimes be hard to find the motivation to get up and get going, but I promise that if you do, you will feel better for it. Exercise clears the mind, improves self esteem and releases those feel good hormones.
As someone who has suffered with depression and post-natal PTSD, I can speak from experience. Doing something, anything, will absolutely improve your mood. Sitting on the sofa all day feeling sorry for yourself will only create a downward spiral. My top tips? Make sure your day has structure. Plan your day so you always have tasks and reduce the amount of "nothing" time. Give yourself a goal. It could be a short term or long term goal. Keep it simple and achievable. It might be going for a 30 minute walk everyday, it might be clearing the garden or sorting out the loft. Having something to work towards can help to keep you focused, and completing a goal will give you a nice warm feeling inside.
If you would like some motivational tips, or advice on the right type of exercise for you, please do get in touch and I'll help you any way I can.
If you're looking for some home workouts, I've been running some Facebook live classes, these sessions are then added to my YouTube channel so you can take a look anytime. If you have a Google (Gmail) account, then you can subscribe for free and be notified when new videos are posted.
The more active you are, the more activity you want to do. So, get up, get going and feel good!
