Movement and Mental Health

It’s a must for me!

As you'll probably be aware, we're in Mental Health Awareness week this week and the main theme is around Movement.

Love that!

Along with many others, I believe that the mind and body are inextricably linked, the mind affects the body and the body affects the mind in a bidirectional way.

Therefore, our activeness and movement not only keep the body healthy, they also keep our minds healthy.

I've always been active, from learning to dance from the age of 4, through learning sports and eventually finding my main sport, Volleyball.

I also had active jobs, being a PE teacher and a PT definitely kept me moving!

After leaving being a teacher and completing my Sport Psychology Masters, I decided to study for a PhD. This was in Cognitive Acceleration through PE, so I figured it all linked together, so was excited to get it going.

The studies I was running to research the area were set in a PE department in a school in Manchester. Still being involved in a PE department, interacting with the kids and running the practical studies were really enjoyable and I quite loved that part.

However, I was having some difficulties with a supervisor and really beginning to struggle writing up the studies that would contribute to my thesis. In fact, I was beginning to get lower and lower.

Two years into the PhD, I suddenly realised that I had not left the house for a week, in fact, l'd not even got out of my pyjamas for the whole week. I'd literally not moved.

I was at my lowest point l'd ever been at.

My mental health was so bad, l'd literally frozen. I realised I was in a really depressed state and needed to do something immediately.

Speaking with my then partner and my (amazing) Director of Studies, I decided to pull out of the PhD and just continue with the practical part of the research for the final year. This also meant that I didn't need to write up the studies (I really hated academic writing, and this had been part of the problem.)

I also got back into exercise. I got back into the Volleyball training, went for runs, went for walks with my partner and friends.

I was fortunate that I didn't need to medicate in order to start feeling better. It is a good choice for some people, even to help them feel more able to take the next steps of being active and possibly therapy.

However, it reminded me of how important movement and exercise is for me. And as for many others, it's one of my Pillars that keeps me mentally and physically good.

Even now, I recognise that if I'm feeling a wee bit off, it's generally because I've been busy with work and missed a few workout sessions. Over a week, I know I need to get active!

I really love high energy activity, but dancing around to music, either at home or in a class is another massive booster for me. And I love a good walk, especially by water, that's one of my best Topper Uppers.

You may have seen that I'm doing HYROX training at the moment, I'd love to compete in a competition. But whether we've got a fitness goal or are moving for sheer enjoyment, it all helps.

And it's one of the areas that l advise all my clients to focus on as part of our coaching.

There have been times when former athletes and players just stop being active once they've stopped competing. I've spoken with a number who just won't step in a gym again.

So, finding that activity that keeps you feel good and healthy and on top of things is so important.

And then building it into your week is key. It becomes a non-negotiable.

It may be something you've done before, or you may want to try out something new. Googling ‘sports clubs' in your local area can be a great start. That's how I found my local Pickleball club!

So, whatever it is, have fun. And let's keep looking after the whole of us!

*And if you're really struggling with your mental health, please know that there's help out there. Reaching out to your GP could get you started on the right path again. And there are a number of great charities that can be contacted, including Mind and the Samaritans. There's always a way through.

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