Mental Health Awareness Week

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week.

1 in 4 people will have a mental health concern at some point in their life.

Mental health is just as important as physical health – if you had a broken leg, you wouldn’t ignore it, you would seek help. Our mental health should be no different.

This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is moving more for our mental health. Exercise is a great stress and anxiety buster, as when we exercise we release endorphins in our brain, which help to alleviate pain, lower stress, improve our mood and enhance our wellbeing.

In light of this, here’s 5 ideas of how we can incorporate movement into our daily lives:

1. Block out time in your diary

Treating exercise time like a work meeting or appointment means it’s less likely to fall off your schedule.

2. Team up with an exercise buddy

Commit to exercising with someone else, such as a family member, friend or neighbour. You’re much less likely to cancel if you feel like you might let someone else down.

3. Choose an exercise you actually enjoy

If you set yourself a goal of running, but you secretly hate it, you’re much less likely to stick with it. Have a good think about the movement you truly enjoy.

4. Add physical activity into your existing routine

Could you get off the bus a stop earlier and walk the rest of the way? Can you switch a sit down meeting to a walking meeting? Or perhaps you could try some calf stretches or squats whilst you’re waiting for the kettle to boil?

5. Family activities that include movement

Plan activities that involve walking, cycling or team sport. You could look to make gardening a family activity – this can also be great for your mental health!

For more information on Mental Health Awareness Week, please see this webpage from the Mental Health Foundation.