Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 will take place from 13 to 19 May, on the theme of
"Movement: Moving more for our mental health".
Being active is important for our mental health. But so many of us struggle to get enough exercise. We know there are many different reasons for this, so this Mental Health Awareness Week we want to help people to find moments for movement in their daily routines.
Mind reports that physical activity has lots of benefits for our mental and physical well-being. It can help with the following:
Managing stress
Improving sleep
Improving your mood
Connecting with nature
Socialising and meeting new people
Managing symptoms of depression and anxiety
Memory and brain functioning
Heart, muscle and bone health
Reducing the risk of developing some long-term health conditions, such as heart disease
Get moving - 5 additional reasons to get moving and the research…
Improve your body image —Research from the Mental Health Foundation has found that 30% of all adults have felt so stressed by body image and appearance that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. Find some tips on how to manage this here: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/body-image
Spending time in nature improves life satisfaction — Moving outdoors has additional benefits. Make the most of open spaces and your local environment. Forest Holidays reports 30 key statistics that show the health benefits of getting outdoors: https://www.forestholidays.co.uk/30-statistics-mental-health-benefits-of-outdoors/
Reduce loneliness —Loneliness has reached almost epidemic levels since the start of the pandemic. But fighting off feelings of loneliness doesn’t always have to involve socialising. A new study shows how getting into a “flow” during a workout can have the same effect as a coffee date with friends. Reflex Nutrition highlights five ways to reduce loneliness through exercise: https://reflexnutrition.com/blogs/community/5-ways-to-reduce-loneliness-through-exercise
Exercising Kindness can make you feel good — The practice of kindness has been shown to improve self-esteem, mood, empathy, and compassion. Combining exercise and kindness gives additional benefits. You could offer to mow someone's lawn, do a grocery shop for a neighbour or take part in a litter pick. WonderMom has a few ideas on how to show some kindness at the gym: https://wondermomwannabe.com/random-act-kindness-gym/
Reduce your risk of falls. For older adults and those with health conditions/disabilities, research shows that doing balance and muscle-strengthening activities in addition to moderate-intensity aerobic activity can help reduce your risk of falling. Try these fall prevention exercises from Hopkins Medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/fall-prevention-exercises
Some basics
Going for a walk in your local area, putting on your favourite music and dancing around the living room, chair exercises when watching television –- it all counts! These are simple and effective strategies that you can incorporate into your life very easily.
Practical Support to Get You Moving
Still need some convincing? Brentwood connector Carol took to the radio to explain how movement can greatly benefit our mental health, and how her work brings people together to get active!
Listen here: https://phoenixfm.com/2024/02/01/carol-wakeman-find-your-active-mental-health-benefits-through-exercise/
The Exercise Journey
Everyone's fitness routine will look very different and should match your life goals and fit with the time you have available to you.
COVID has presented us with so many new options and opportunities online that allow more people to access classes that could have previously been out of reach.
Phone apps are also growing in popularity, especially with the cost of attending in-person classes or paying for gym memberships which have become a luxury for many.
Comments