There is plenty of information out there highlighting the importance of exercise on our physical and mental wellbeing. The benefits provided through movement have been heavily researched with promising results illuminating how we can indeed become the best version of ourselves.
At times when feeling stressed, low or anxious, these may act as barriers in taking us towards engaging in physical activity. It can be helpful to acknowledge what these may be and seeing if there can be ways to problem solve this. It is also during such phases where we need to engage in some form of physical activity the most, it is almost like a natural dose of medicine. The more we consume this the more likely it is that we will feel better. Consistency is key, although of course easier said then done, but totally possible!
I often like to refer to Russ Harris’s Choice Point technique. Russ Harris’s Choice Point refers to ‘away moves’ and ‘towards moves.’ Actions that take us closer to or further away from our goals and from the person that we want to be. So, when the proposition of doing something such as going to the gym, for a walk, to that exercise class comes to mind it may be helpful to think are these taking me toward my goals and the person I want to be or not. Alternatively if ideas of staying home, watching Netflix and having a relaxed evening (which can sometimes be just want we need) appear to be taking us away from our values, then we can then find ourselves at a choice point. Do we want to take the action that takes us closer or further away from our goals. Whatever the decision, trying to do this without being too hard on ourselves, without judgement and with compassion.
Some facts about the benefits of exercise below from the superb Psychologist Kimberley Wilson in the highly recommend book ‘How to build a healthy brain’ that I had to include:
Physical activity has been shown to:
-reduce the risk of developing depression and anxiety even when there is greater genetic risk
-lower symptoms of depression
-increase brain volume (delay and reverse brain ageing)
-reduce the risk of dementia
-improve memory, attention and accuracy
-elevate mood
-increase stress resilience
-improve academic achievement in children
-when there is a learning element to exercise such as learning new moves in a dance class, this can provide an extra beneficial challenge for the brain
Video for the choice point below as well as a link to a resource on this: https://www.actmindfully.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Choice_Point_2.0_A_Brief_Overview_-_Russ_Harris_April_2017.pdf
Resource on the choice point
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