E is for Exercise!

Anybody reading this will not need me to tell them that exercise is such an important thing for the human body. Fitter, leaner, stronger - it's all good! But the impact is not just physiological, regular fitness also has a huge impact mentally. The 'feel good' chemicals which the body produces during exercise lift the mood, make one feel more positive and serve also a a relaxant. The side effects are almost all positive as well - feeling a great sense of achievement, losing a bit of weight, sleeping better to name but three.

If there is one caveat it would simply be that the mental health patient needs to avoid replacing one obsession with another. In other words, don't become so obsessed with a fitness regime that it interferes with normal day to day task completion. Further, when training isn't possible through injury, illness or the desire just to 'chill out', push away the feelings of failure.

A training diary, in my opinion, is not particularly helpful as it can encourage excessive and unreasonable task setting. Recording high points is, however, a very good idea. I usually run four miles each day (or equivalent fitness training) with the exception of the weekends - my old bones need some time to recover! I don't write my timings down everyday, just now and again. When I have a 'slower' day I look back over the timings and remind myself I can, and have, run faster and will easily do so again.

Working hard to improve levels of fitness helps the mind as much as the body. Nevertheless, it's still ok to be a tortoise. You don't need to run like a hare to achieve a positive impact on mind and body!