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

[Daisydreamer]

@Eve7 thank you for letting us know and upholding your anonymity 🙂 Sounds like such a rewarding experience for you coaching and being on the field It's it amazing how sport can make us feel different while we play. When I had my first depressive episode, I'd step onto the court for basketball and all of how I felt was left on the side line and I was wholly focussed 🙂 There's a mindfulness in that.

You are right, that it isn't a cure, but for many an important piece in combination with other things that make up our recovery journey tool kit

[bipolarbunny]

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@Daisydreamer wrote:

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

For the community: How does it feel and what do you think when you do physical activity? Do you notice an impact on your mental health?

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It's a mood booster for me. I feel accomplished when I get up and exercise early, it sets up the day in a positive frame. It also makes me feel better about myself long term, more confident, less stressed. 

[Former-Member]

Hi @Poppyfriend543, welcome to your first Topic Tuesday! 😊🎉

I also love spending time in nature, and can relate to struggling to find time to meet up with friends to organise doing things like that. Often I'll just go by myself because I've realised that I still get a lot of benefit out of going, even if I am by myself 🌳🌿

In terms of mindful eating and trying to prevent diabetes, I think a medical professional would be best to advise you on health advice relating to that. I'm wondering if you've spoken to your GP about it yet? 😊

[Daisydreamer]

Question 4: For @Peregrinefalcon and the community:

Are there barriers or limitations to physical activity that you notice, and what are they?

[Oaktree]

I do a short walk once per week with a group of others with MI issues. I am overweight and I don't find that I get any enjoyable feelings from it. I just don't enjoy it. I only do it to keep my support worker happy. I wish I enjoyed exercise. I used to roller skate around 15 years ago and I really enjoyed that but my local roller rink closed down so now it's too difficult.

[Daisydreamer]

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@bipolarbunny wrote:

I think the boring aspect comes in when you are doing something you don't want to do or don't enjoy doing. Also it can become overwhelming setting big goals, so I personally think the key to becoming active is picking something you like to do or would like to learn and setting small weekly goals. And not expecting too much too soon. Start off slow, walk to the end of your street and watch the sunset one night. Everyone loves a sunset 🙂

BB 🐰💙

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So true @bipolarbunny 🙂 Physical activity can be in the things we are already doing and enjoy, like walking to see the sunset as you have mentioned, or activities like gardening. Starting small and building up can help with motivation

[Peregrinefalcon]

Are there barriers or limitations to physical activity that you notice, and what are they?

Everyone will have their own barriers to physical activity – these can take many forms including

• Chronic illness and disbailtiy
• Lack of energy
• Not enough time: Busy routine and numerous committments
• Lack of resources/equipment
• Lack of confidence
• Caregiving commitments
• Boredom
• Lockdowns!! 
  
  As someone with chronic health condition myself, I am still in the process of learning to really respect my body's boundaries - which can be hard when that can change on a daily basis!
  
  

[frog]

Hi everyone. Better late than never... I'm just catching up on the conversation.

[StuF]

@Former-Member 

Finally here!

Got some reading to do...

Thanks for the tag 🙂

[Shaz51]

Are there barriers or limitations to physical activity that you notice, and what are they?--- for us @Daisydreamer , @Peregrinefalcon , @Former-Member 

it is the weather, time , the less activities in rural areas where we live 

and also our ages