Okay, so anybody that's been struggling with their mental health for a while, will have heard from somewhere that:
'EXERCISE IS GREAT FOR IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH'...
AND THE TRUTH IS; THERE'S PLENTY OF SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THAT STATEMENT.
However, before you contact your nearest Personal Trainer for a 'mood-boosting workout', you might want to rethink your strategy...
Because as we pointed out in this article...
PERSONAL TRAINERS AREN'T MINDSET COACHES (REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT SAYS IN THEIR BIO!)
So when it comes to helping you achieve goals, the thought process of a Personal Trainer 'should' revolve around helping you change physically...
With any improvements in mental health being a byproduct of the training (as opposed to the goal).
The question is though:
DO YOU REALLY NEED SOMETHING SO STRUCTURED, SERIOUS AND BALLS TO THE WALL, WHEN YOUR MAIN GOAL IS TO IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?
OR WILL IT BE TOO MUCH TO DEAL WITH? AND EXACERBATE ANY PRE-EXISTING OVERWHELM?
Hopefully by now, you should already know that improving your sleep and nutritional habits, will give you the 'biggest wins' when it comes to improving your mental health.
So while you're letting those lifestyle modifications take effect, why don't we start by having some fun?..
And take up a hobby that also gets your heart rate up?
Here's some suggestions:
Or even a game of Rounders (if you've got a time-machine and the coordinates of your primary school, that is?).
But, don't worry! I know what you're thinking...
WHY IS A PERSONAL TRAINER TRYING TO TALK ME OUT OF 'GOING HARD' IN THE GYM?..
I know shocking, right?! But before you get the wrong idea...
I'M NOT SAYING THAT YOU SHOULD AVOID THE GYM ALTOGETHER, BECAUSE STRUCTURED TRAINING (ABSOLUTELY) HAS A TIME AND A PLACE.
I'm just pointing out, that before you start 'beasting' yourself in the gym, you have to get your sleep and nutrition in check first (so you can recover properly from the training sessions)...
And that's because your capacity to recover from strenuous exercise may already be compromised...
Due to the connection between mental health conditions and chronic low grade inflammation.
Furthermore; exercise actually ramps up inflammation. Meaning that you might feel even worse once the Post-Workout High subsides and the DOMS (muscle soreness) kick in!
Oh and BTW, people who suffer from depression have a higher sensitivity to pain too, which means it's a triple whammy!
So before you get talked into 'serious gym work' by a 'mindset coach', just remember that starting out with a bit of heart raising fun might be just what the Doctor ordered!
So, there you have it! You now know the benefits of exercise on mental health, I hope you've found it useful.
If you'd like to find of why you should be wary of 'mindset coaches', you can do so by clicking this link.
Thanks for reading!
BTW; if you're trying to overhaul your health but don't know where to start, then feel free to schedule a lifestyle consultation with me by clicking this link
Birmingham's 'go-to girl' for busy professionals who need to solve the lifestyle problems that are keeping them; overweight and out of shape.
Adele Davies | Lifestyle Consultant
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