I have been thinking about creating this blog for some time but decided to take the plunge after lockdown. With limited types of exercise, stay local rulings, only allowed out once a day to exercise etc I realised just how much I ‘need’ to get out and how much stress has built up from it not being as easy as I have always known it.
I have been reading, looking, googling and downloading reports and studies. There are so many resources out there and everything I have found gives the same conclusions that being outside and/or exercising has huge benefits for mental health. Spending time outside can lower stress, blood pressure and heart rate which improves your sense of well being. As little as 20 minutes in a park will have some positive effects.
There is actually a form of treatment called Ecotherapy which has found that being outdoors can help improve mild to moderate depression. I will come back to this as its intriguing me.
Being outside
Being outside has amazing positive effects on its own but add exercise to the mix and these positive effects are exacerbated. People who exercise regularly get a huge sense of satisfaction. If I am ever looking out the window convincing myself to go for a run I tell myself that I will never regret going for that run, but will always regret not going. I have no doubt that, if I didn’t go, I would be looking out of that window again a couple of hours later wishing I had gone.
Studies have indicated that you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic or as dedicated as someone like me and that age and fitness level don’t generally matter. A moderate activity for a relatively short amount of time will boost your mood. A recent study by Harvard T.H. Chan school of public health found that running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour reduces the risk of major depression by 26% in addition to relieving symptoms. Also, maintaining an exercise schedule can prevent relapse.
As a general rule, humans like being with other humans so exercising in a group makes people feel good, exercise keeps our bodies fitter and healthier which gives confidence. You might feel less guilty about that chocolate bar.
It has a nice side effect of course of keeping my body in good shape and I think that helps with confidence and feeling good about myself, which also play a huge part in improved mental health. I am not skinny but I have also never been overweight, I have never counted calories or stopped myself having that slice of cake when its someone’s birthday at work.
Exercise releases endorphins which have been proven to be effective in reducing the symptoms of anxiety. I am finding all this research fascinating, I have never specifically thought about it before but I wonder if I am so happy to go out, actually wanting to go out as, subconsciously, I know it will make me feel so much better and happier.
Getting out of the door
From talking to people I am finding the biggest difficulty for many people is getting out of the door; its so much warmer in the house or more comfy in pyjamas, lack of motivation or tiredness, some people feel uncomfortable or don’t like unfamiliar surroundings. This is something I want to visit again on my blog as I feel it needs more input, I have done this a little in a later blog post – a habit is formed. In this current pandemic I imagine there are lots of people who are not at all happy going out and mixing with people and that will only increase the longer it goes on.
I read loads and love books so I am looking forward to peoples perspectives and what they have done and achieved. I am planning to add a resources section with books I have read and recommend reading.