How do you feel about exercise? What’s it’s impact on your life? Do you see it as a way of being kind to yourself?
I can list a BUNCH of benefits of exercise including:
– decreased risk factors for a range of diseases – hormone regulation – increased bone strength – increased energy – lower blood pressure – lower risk of falls – strengthening our immune systems – improving brain health & function
The list goes on and on, and yet, I wonder if sometimes HEARING the benefits is different to EXPERIENCING the benefits. I wonder if it can all sound a little abstract when we’re busy and feel ‘fine’.
How about this instead…
In a world where around 1 in 6 Australian women will experience depression and 1 in 3 Australian women* will experience anxiety, moving our bodies can help. When we’re tired, stressed and frustrated, moving our can bodies help. When we’re struggling with the stamina to get through the day, moving our bodies can help. When we’re feeling negative about our body image, moving our bodies can help. When we need a fresh perspective, moving our bodies can help. When we’re 80 years old and we want the freedom to move well and not have our bones break as easily, moving our bodies will have helped.
When we simply want to thank our bodies because they are awesome, moving our bodies can help.
I was 28 years old, pretty ‘healthy’ and my mind broke.
I experienced a pretty epic breakdown fueled by stress, anxiety and a bit of undiagnosed PTSD. That’s part of the reason exercise makes up a very special part of my life, I credit it in a big way to becoming healthy again. It was exercise that provided me with the outlet I needed to deal with my anxiety (it still does) as well as assisting the rest of the systems in my body and mind to do the healing it needed to.
Aiming for an average of 30 minutes of exercise most days will help. Because when I tell you that I’m not sure where I would be without the impact of exercise on my life, I honestly mean it. Your story might be different to mine, but I genuinely believe being kind to our bodies and minds by adding movement to our days can only bring good things.
So Mama, how do you feel about exercise?
Ps. Safe movement for different bodies might mean different things. It is important find what you love and do what works for you in this season.
*Stats from Beyond Blue, 2020.
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