We are always reminded that exercise is good for our physical health. Everyone knows that regularly exercising can help you live longer and it can reduce your risk of developing heart disease or type 2 diabetes for example. Yet, as a society, we live relatively inactive lifestyles.
Some would argue that the Covid-19 pandemic has improved this. Exercise is pretty much the only thing we are legally permitted to do. However, children are no longer walking to school. People are no longer walking to and from the tube or their car. Interestingly, the Department of Health have described being inactive as a “silent killer”.
“what really won me over was how it’s helped my mental health.”
Despite knowing the physical benefits of exercise, many still remain unmotivated. I was one of those people until relatively recently. I enjoyed going for walks and the odd exercise class, but I was predominately inactive.
In August, I started Couch to 5k. It changed my life. Six months later, I am a runner. I try and run every other day or at least three times a week. I am completely converted. More recently, I’ve been really enjoying yoga. Of course, I’ve experienced the physical benefits of exercise but what really won me over was how it’s helped my mental health.
Before I started running, I had no body confidence. I really hated how I looked. I couldn’t accept a compliment. Looking back, I was quite unhappy. That all changed when I started running. That’s not to say I feel that way all the time. Like anyone, I have down days, but I try really hard to remember why I should be confident. I hope if even one person reading this, realises that exercise may be able to help them, they try.
If I wake up in a bad mood, I know I need to go for a run. It helps me clear my mind and get some perspective on whatever is bothering me. When I come back, I feel great. Even if I’ve not had the best run, I still feel amazing for going out and getting my heart rate up. I prefer to run in the morning because it starts my day off as I mean to go on. When I get to my desk, I feel like I’ve already achieved something.
Running has also really helped with how I view my body. I no longer see it as something repulsive but something amazing. It’s helped me become a runner and I never thought I’d do that. I feel fit and I feel like I’m looking after my body and that makes me feel confident.
Running helped me get into yoga because I was suffering with plantar fasciitis. Now, I do lots of different practices. I really enjoy doing yoga before I go to bed. It helps me to get closure on the day and to slow my brain down. I think that’s really important at the moment. Doing university from home and spending the majority of my day in my bedroom is hard. It’s hard for everyone and it can be really difficult to switch off. Yoga helps me to do that.
“it has changed my mental health as well as my physical health.”
Journalist Bella Mackie published a book at the end of 2018 called Jog On: How Running Saved My Life. I read it when it came out and now, I can understand it. It’s a very inspiring, brave account of Mackie’s battle with mental health and how running helped her. Mackie’s idea of running without sacrificing cigarettes, wine and ice cream is really powerful. For me it emphasises that you can benefit from exercise without sacrificing things you like. Exercising in this way is so beneficial for your mental health.
I wish I started running earlier. However, I think I started running at the perfect time. I’m so grateful that I did because it has changed my mental health as well as my physical health.
Maggie John
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