There are many ways that movement can help improve your mental health. Whether you are fighting depression, anxiety, or any other illness, combined with treatment under the care of a health professional, fitness can help lead the way to success. Here are some tips to get you moving and to improve your mental health.
All you need is a good pair of shoes and preferably a music device!
1) Walking – A simple stroll around the block can be a great way to improve your mood. Dare to step off the treadmill and into the great outdoors. It will help you get a bit of Vitamin D with your exercise. This is a great way to improve your heart health and to give you chance to calm your mind and think through your thoughts.
Try to aim for walking 30 minutes a day, and listen to some music or an audio book to pass the time.
2) Stretching – A regular yoga practice or even just a few stretches at your desk during work can help improve blood flow and keep your brain in check. You can check out the free weekly yoga class on yogatoday.com, or you can just pick up a few stretches from any ‘workout on an airplane’ routine that you can do at your desk.
3) Running – Even if you have never run before, running is a great way to calm an anxious mind. You can start out with a Couch to 5K, and then aim for a local 5 or 10K run. Run for 30 minutes a few times a week to help boost your overall health as well as your mental health.
You can track your progress with a running app, and compete against yourself. You may find you love it and end up running a marathon in a few years time.
4) Dancing – You don’t need to be a great dancer. Just turn on some of your favorite music, close your blinds, and dance around your room. Or if you have a gaming system, try a round of Dance Dance Revolution or Just Dance.
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