Are you getting enough exercise?
Some readers—maybe you!—can probably confidently answer, “Yes!” After all, plenty of people love to exercise. They run, bike, or swim (or all three). They lift weights, do Pilates, or have regular pickleball games. They jump rope do calisthenics or enjoy kickboxing. These folks are good about sticking to their exercise routines because they don’t just begrudgingly engage in them. Rather, they look forward to their workouts and even feel out of sorts when they miss them.
Some other readers—maybe you!—are probably firmly answering, “No!” After all, plenty of people hate to exercise.
There are, no doubt, people who are somewhere in the middle. They exercise occasionally with varying levels of pleasure or annoyance.
Whichever camp you fall into, a simple fact remains: Exercise is good for you.
And not just in the ways we most often think about it. We all know that exercise is good for our bodies. But it is important to keep in mind (as it were) that exercise is also good for your mind.
A Quick Look at the Mental Health Benefits of Exercise
In an article titled “Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms,” the Mayo Clinic lists several mental health benefits of exercise. According to the article, exercise can help address symptoms of depression and anxiety in a number of ways. These include:
- The release of feel-good endorphins in the brain
- Helping to take your mind off your worries
- Boosting your confidence
- Providing more social interactions
- Helping you to cope with challenges in a healthy way
The Mayo Clinic article examines each of these bullets in detail. For our purposes here, we will let them stand on their own (though we encourage you to check out the article for a deeper dive). Our goal in this blog entry is to help you get started if exercise has not been a regular part of your routine. We have three ideas to share.
You Can Start Small
When it comes to exercising, getting started can feel daunting. You might find yourself stressing about just what sort of exercise you should do. You might worry about the cost as you wonder if you need to join a club or buy special clothes. You might be concerned that you are at least as likely to get hurt as you are to get in shape.
But you do not have to dive into some new rigorous routine to get started and see improvements in your physical and mental health. You could, for example, start by adding a 10-minute walk to your daily routine. Sure, you will want some supportive shoes, but assuming you do not have mobility issues, there is not much standing in your way, right?
Other small things can add up, too. Park a little farther away from the door to your destination. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk to your favorite coffee shop on a nice day instead of automatically jumping into your car.
You Can Find an Activity You Enjoy
If you have historically been averse to exercise, you might have convinced yourself that there are no physical activities you enjoy. But we are confident that you could, in fact, find an activity you enjoy. It might turn out to be yoga. It might turn out to be lap swimming. It might turn out to be playing catch in the backyard.
Give a few things a try. Ask a friend what they enjoy and if you can join them. It might take a little trial and error, but before too long, you will likely find something you like to do. Once you do, you will have an easier time turning that activity into a habit. On that note, we also recommend putting exercise into your calendar—just like all the rest of your important activities.
You Can Start With a Simple Goal
Sometimes when someone starts a new exercise program, they begin with a big goal in mind. Maybe they decide their goal is to lose 30 pounds. Maybe they decide their goal is to run a marathon. Maybe they decide their goal is to get back to bench pressing the amount of weight they could handle in high school.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with any of those goals. But if you are just starting out, having a big goal that will take a long time to accomplish can sometimes lead to discouragement. You might be better off setting a simple goal. For example, your goal might be to exercise three times a week for a month. That shortens the time period in question—and it also changes your focus from some eventual outcome to the process itself. A focus on the process can make it easier to keep going.
And that is the most important thing when it comes to exercise. Keep going.
Let Us Exercise Our Expertise to Help You
At Johnstown Heights Behavioral Health—located in Johnstown, Colorado—we aid individuals who want to improve their mental health. If you are ready for a new start, we are ready and able to help you reach your goals.
