Topic Tuesday // Physical Activity and Mental Health // Tues 6th July, 7:00-8:30PM AEST

[Peregrinefalcon]

Question 3: @Peregrinefalcon  How has physical activity been shown to promote mental health and wellbeing?

We all know about the physical health benefits of exercise but there is a host of mental health benefits, too. Here are some breif key points:

• Gaining benefit from physical activity is easier than we can sometimes think! Exercise does not need to be intense to feel the benefits, even a brief walk outside can be beneficial
• It can increase a sense of agency, autonomy and self-esteem by taking an active role in your wellbeing, especially if this is something that we have struggled with
• Exercise promotes the release of those lovely feel-good endorphins that enhance our sense of wellbeing
• Physical activity can serve as a healthy distraction and can ground us in the present by focusing on our body. There is evidence that this can help us to move out of the “freeze” stress response
• The benefits of physical activity have been perhaps most researched in the area of depression and anxiety, with numerous studies revealing the benefits of regular physical activity in both the prevention and management of depression and anxiety symptoms when compared to less-active individuals
• If done with other people, it can provide a source of social support and reduce feelings of loneliness

I can struggle to stay focused on the present a lot of the time (thanks, anxiety) and exercise forces me to focus on the here-and-now. It also helps act as a ‘circuit breaker’ for me when I can feel myself feeling stuck in a certain feeling.

[Shaz51]

that is a good idea @Poppyfriend543  and then increasing where and when you can exercise , study and working 

I have diabetes and CKD 

[Determined]

Evening all.

Late joining here. Thanks for the tag @Shaz51 

a) What is your relationship with physical activity at the moment? ----  

Currently setting and achieving goals with cycling. With a mix of short workouts on an indoor trainer and long endurance rides.  Definatly helps clear my mind. 

b) And what sorts of things do you enjoy doing?--  

Not sure enjoy quite describes it lol but cycling is at the top of the list and is the most rewarding. I like cycling as it it low impact and easy on my joints. Darling and I also join in on weekend group rides which is good for our social and emotional health. We are both introverts and this is outside of.our comfort zone but a great group of people who are very accepting.

what gets me motivated.

1. I Need to loose a lot of weight.

2. Doing it with darling seems to balance her efforts . When she was cycling previously (I used to stay home and look after the children. They r old enough now to look after themselves and fil is at home with them also now) it became an unhealthy obsession for her .

3. Seeing goals met is very rewarding and a big incentive to keep going. 

[Daisydreamer]

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@Former-Member wrote:

I don't know about everyone else here, but it's reassuring to me that other people are experiencing similar things- like impacts of covid on the physical activity we might like to be doing, struggling with motivation, etc 

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💜💜💜💜

[apc]

@Fluttershy1 excellent questions I would be interested in reading @Peregrinefalcon answers as I find myself in t GG is situation

[apc]

Sorry was suppose to say in this situation

[Peregrinefalcon]

Oh @Gwynn, it sounds like you have done an incredible job. It is not easy to overcome a challenging relationship with physical activity. What amazing progress you have made

[Adge]

Thanks @Former-Member Apparently I'm a "Dedicated Yogi" - Having done 2 Yoga Classes each week, for the past 9 & 1/2 years.

Yet I don't do any Yoga at Home (alone) - There's no motivation.

I Did Run into the Shopping Centre to find the Vaccination Clinic (this afternoon) - As I was somewhat Lost, was Late for my Booking, Huge largely unknown Shopping Centre (a long way from Home).

I guess that was Motivation to Exercise....

Adge

[Gwynn]

For me, the hour of exercise I do with my EP doesn’t require much motivation because she’s really encouraging. It’s harder to come up with the rest of my 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week as I walk slowly.

[Fluttershy1]

@Daisydreamer @Peregrinefalcon - it feels really good and motivating when I can do it. I feel good within myself and it really helps my mental health.