Looking after ourselves is something that we cannot ignore. For most people, there once was a time in which we could happily float through life, get on with our job and head home after a hard day's work to the family and have a relaxing evening. These days things seem to be a little more difficult with added stresses coming from all angles. The pressure of daily life has become difficult for everyone living it which has caused an onslaught of mental health issues. This means that a large percentage of the population is seeking ways to help themselves, including how their physical health is linked with their mental health.

Physical Exercise

To begin with, we should talk about the benefits of exercise on both our physical and mental health. It's widely known that to maintain a healthy weight and have a healthy lifestyle we should be partaking in at least 30 minutes of exercise per day, whether that be a brisk walk, short run, or 30 minutes in the gym. It has been shown that exercise amongst youth will help build and strengthen bone density and also the strength of muscles. When thinking long term, this can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Energy levels

Exercise also has amazing effects on your energy levels when completed in moderation. So in reality, it's not only for those that are healthy. Studies have shown that those struggling with serious illness benefit greatly from regular exercise, making them feel energised more often. This is true even with people suffering from persistent fatigue.

No Limitations

There are no limitations in how you get your exercise, which opens the door to many people thinking they won't be able to workout. When we first start exercising, especially if it's through a journey of mental health, it's brilliant to have a partner and that doesn't necessarily mean it should be a person. Having an Emotional Support Animal with you can help you feel a true purpose. Not only are you exercising for the benefit of yourself but also for your animal companion. Struggling with mental illness alone is a difficult thing, especially through otherwise traumatic events. The professionals at https://therapetic.org state that if you require an ESA then it's easier than ever to prove your furry friend is needed as a therapy animal. They come with certain legal rights and enable you to do a few things without added stress. It's worth noting at this stage that they don't have the same rights as a guide or service animals.

Feel Good

When we look at mental health being entwined with physical health there are so many examples which we can take from. It's proven that when you exercise there are endorphins and hormones released that lift our spirit and mood and make us feel amazing. This will make you want to exercise more because feeling good is far better than feeling down, which, in turn, will improve your physical and mental health. Think of it as a cycle, whilst it's difficult to penetrate, once you're in it's something that will keep on giving.

Mental Exercise

We know that working on our physical health is going to help our mental health because of the hormones and endorphins that are released, but if we flip it around we can look at it from the other point of view. We need to be mentally ready to exercise or there is a high chance we will end up checking out before the day has begun. This is important to remember and is a habit that is incredibly difficult to break.

Break The Habit

As we have said, this is an incredibly tough thing to do if we are in a situation where our routine has been concreted in for 20 years. However, it's something that can be done. Once we start chipping away we will get somewhere eventually and that's what we need to do. Start by changing small things at a time, no one likes huge amounts of change on their doorstep so ease yourself in. Watch something different on television about exercise, maybe a documentary or do some research into an exercise you think might suit you. This can be exactly what's needed to kick yourself into gear.

Mentally Ready

Once you're there, it's going to be much easier to continue. If you're mentally ready to exercise then your body will be right there with you. It's incredible for your brain and your memory and you will see an improvement within weeks of beginning. Not only this but stress and depression will start to be lifted and these are the huge causes of physical illnesses.
When it comes to linking both physical and mental illness there is such a clear cut and obvious correlation that it's difficult to say otherwise. To help yourself mentally, it's brilliant to start doing physical exercise and to help yourself physically it's great to get in the perfect mindset. It's difficult to have one without the other.

WRITTEN BY

Brand Voices