How Mindful Exercise Helps Improve Your Mental Health And Wellbeing
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 10th – 16th May 2021 and I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about the importance of mindful exercise and its positive impact on your overall wellbeing.
Have you thought about where you are now with your exercise?
I believe and have seen exercise used as an important tool to improve mental health, body health and increase happiness when done correctly and not in the pursuit of a drastic weight loss or as a form of punishment for overeating.
The go hard or go home mentality that so often comes with exercise will eventually lead to burnout. Yes, exercise does has a negative side if done incorrectly and with the emphasis on quick wins.
Mindful exercise should become your new mantra, a new goal that helps you achieve the best possible outcome for your wellbeing. How?
I used to be very hard on myself
Exercise causes the body to produce endorphins which are hormones secreted by your pituitary gland to block pain, decrease anxiety and create feelings of happiness. But endorphins are chemicals that are similar to morphine and for so many compulsive exercises can become psychologically addictive.
It’s like the mouse in the wheel scenario: you start worrying that if you miss your workout day your body will gain weight or you will lose strength. An intense need for daily exercise is damaging and the natural pursuit of healthy movement is gone.
An exercise is a powerful tool if used correctly, but as with everything, moderation, balance and respect for your body are much needed. Wear and tear of your body over the years of exercise at high intensity and without the right recovery period will increase. You’ll feel exhausted and not able to sleep well.
The experience of living life is about including exercise into your life, not you fitting your life in around the gym. I admit that I have definitely been super hard in the past when it comes to exercising.
Are you suffering from exercise burnout?
If the following statements resonate with you, then you are overexerting exercise with possible health implications in the future.
I’m not able to take a rest day; I feel bad if I missed my workout.
I prioritise exercise above all else: social life, family… anything that takes me away from the gym.
I tend to focus solely on pushing myself all the time.
I’m unable to relax.
I never feel good.
I never feel it’s enough.
I’m being wired all the time.
I frequently feel run down or ill.
My skin looks sallow and dry.
My hair and eyelashes are thin and break.
I’m becoming physically weaker, not stronger.
I have anxiety and find it hard to think clearly.
I use exercise to justify eating more.
I use exercise to feel superior about myself and compare my gains with others.
If any of these statements sound familiar, then perhaps it’s time that you slow down the pace, take a step back and rethink your approach to exercise.
My exercise story started with a simple love for the movement but later fuelled the drive to perform at all cost. At first, it felt like passion, but I knew that deep down, it was my favourite way to avoid feelings.
Exercise is not meant to turn into a form of gruelling punishment and leave you feeling depleted. Too much intensity, going at it too hard or too fast, can have serious consequences for your body and mind, and you can actually be undoing all the great gains achieved at a steady pace. Excessive exercise can hurt the heart and is often associated with body perfection disorders.
Quit the all or nothing mentality
Did you know that over-exercising can speed up the ageing process?
Free radicals are oxygen-containing molecules that can become overwhelmed and stressed due to exhaustive workouts. You must give your body a proper amount of rest as the lack thereof is the biggest culprit for free radical damage and oxidative stress.
The adrenaline rush and exercise go hand in hand. It is most certainly addictive, but when the body is pushed relentlessly, and at all cost, it can become harmful. I have experienced both the positive and negative aspects of the exercise, so I now opt-in for a more mindful approach.
Bear in mind that I’m not advising you to stop exercising. No! You should never neglect this part of your life - regular workouts are vital to your wellness but consider the WHY part of it and seek your own recipe for the daily movement that will benefit your health long-term by reducing inflammation, lowering cholesterol levels, helping with posture and flexibility. Low intensity yet regular slow exercise can break the cycle and help you recover and sleep better.
Exercise is meant to help shape your body and mind to feel positive, confident, happy in your skin and proud of who you are, which is not dependent on whether you have abs or not.
It should be designed to aid your mental wellbeing and help you maintain a healthy weight that allows your body to move freely and doesn’t strain your joints.
Devote yourself to new pursuits, new ways of living in harmony with who you are to create balance by changing how and when you move through the mindful exercise.
If you need help or have any questions, know that I’m always happy to share some advice. Get in touch!
Lisa
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