Sometimes we talk about physical and mental health like they’re two separate things, but actually they’re pretty closely linked. When your physical health is poor, it can lead to low moods and even outright depression. Poor mental health interferes with motivation and concentration, making it hard to maintain an exercise routine.
Conversely, when you look after one aspect of your health, the other parts benefit, too. There’s plenty of evidence that physical exercise can increase your endorphins and lift your mood. That makes you feel more ready to take on challenges. Meanwhile, once you manage your mental health properly, it’s easier to plan activities and generally push yourself harder.
That means that once you take the first step to improving your health, the other parts may follow. You just need to figure out the routine that works for you. Are you someone who enjoys high cardio workouts, or would you prefer the gentler pace (though still intense) of yoga? Finding an exercise you enjoy is a simple way to improve mood and motivation so you stick to your regimen.
There’s also a communal aspect to this. Some people may like running or walking on their own, while others may need the sense of community that can come in the gym or an exercise class, where each person encourages the other. This also means you can talk about any issues you have and maybe get advice from professional instructors who have expertise in all aspects of health.
Things like diet and exercise, sleeping properly and quitting smoking all show up on advice for dealing with mood issues, but on their own, they might not be enough to deal with the more severe levels of depression. If you want to feel up to exercise, you may first need to treat any serious mental health conditions that may be affecting you.
This may mean medication. It may mean therapy. Often, it involves a combination of the two. The medication alleviates your immediate symptoms while therapy teaches you how to stop falling back into the bad habits and thought patterns that created your problem in the first place.
What is important, whether it’s physical or mental health, is that you don’t try to deal with it alone. There are people who can help, from doctors and psychologists to personal trainers. If you have any doubts or difficulties, you can ask for help. The advice you receive should allow you to make a plan for your health that incorporates your individual needs, both physical and mental.
It can be hard to take care of your mental health when life often throws more and more difficulties at you. You work long hours, the money worries don’t go away, you have strained relationships with friends and family, and your physical health suffers. That’s why it’s so important to find a way to manage your thoughts and emotions, whether that’s through lifestyle changes or medical intervention. Do that, and you’ll find your overall wellbeing improving as well.
