Have you ever noticed that when our body is feeling slow, tired or achy, it has a direct impact on our mood? We can become irritable, frustrated or negative. However, when our body feels strong, rested, and relaxed, our mood can be impacted positively as well. Studies have shown promise in using exercise as a treatment for depressive disorders, and in some cases exercise was as effective as an antidepressant in mild to moderate depression! Check out these studies from the National Institute of Mental Health for more details https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC474733/ , https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5430071/ )
Starting a new movement or exercise behavior can be challenging. As a counselor and coach, I recommend for people to start small. Five minutes a day can be a great number to set as an initial goal. It’s not that five minutes a day of exercise will make a major impact on mood or health on its own, however sometimes the biggest barrier to getting started is motivation. Five minutes is such a short amount of time, it’s difficult to make an excuse against it! Another strategy is adding movement as a part of an already existing routine. Take a walk with your daily cup of coffee, stop for a workout on the way home from work during your commute, or add a few extra steps when you go to get the mail. Starting small and growing from there is a great way to build a routine that lasts!
Increasing daily movement can help improve mood, mental health, sleep, relaxation, and strength. What’s one step you can take toward making your body more active?
A counselor or coach is a great resource to help support you in developing a healthier lifestyle. For more information visit us at www.opendoorscounselingaz.com
Kelly Gutowski, LCSW is a Counselor, Coach and Clinical Social Worker at Open Doors Counseling, Coaching and Consulting. Learn more at www.opendoorscounselingaz.com
