There’s lots that I could talk about but one subject that strikes me as particularly important is mental health so I’m going to focus on that. It’s perhaps particularly relevant for this piece as men are usually less likely then women to share how they are feeling and certainly if you are working in a stressful corporate environment people often worry it will be seen as weakness if they admit they are suffering.
During Covid it’s estimated that the number of people suffering with depression and suicidal thoughts doubled. November is a also a month when Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can kick in for 1 in 3 people so if you feeling a bit low currently, you are definitely not alone.
Where can you get help?
The good news is that if you are suffering from poor mental health currently there are many wonderful people out there who can help you. I had a few sessions of CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) myself during the first lockdown back in 2020 as I felt my mood lowering and so decided to take action before things got too bad. I’m glad I did because it’s simple proven methods helped get me back on track. The NHS also offers a free mind plan which I had a quick look at in research for this article. Of course the help you can and should get will differ depending on the severity of a situation and your GP is probably the best starting point. A therapist friend of mine recommends....
You get out what you put in
What you eat and drink can also seriously affect your mood. This time of year many of us need to supplement with Vitamin D. I don’t offer professional advice in this area but Bespoke Nutritional Therapy and Nuush are two small businesses I trust to help me with my nutrition. In general terms it’s better to find out if you have a deficiency before you take supplements so testing can make sense.
Choose the right exercise for you
Exercise is also a proven therapy. The free NHS Mind Plan recommends exercise and says “Being active reduces stress, increases energy levels, and can make us more alert and help us sleep better. Find ways to add a bit of physical activity into your day. “
When we don’t feel great we don’t often feel too energetic. We might make a decision to cancel exercise we had planned. That’s usually a mistake but you may need to take it easier than you had planned. Choosing the right exercise is important and if you have a coach it’s also important you can talk to them about it and that they show empathy. They need to be agile enough to create a session that heals rather than harms.
So if you are feeling low, do make a determined effort or get out and do some exercise. For me whilst I love most sports and forms of exercise nothing really beats a good walk in the countryside. Nature usually calms my mind and I always feel better having done something. If you are working from home it’s likely your situation can become a bit of a pressure cooker so I think getting in some form of exercise before you start work or at lunchtime makes good sense.
If you’re interested in choosing an exercise programme that’s based on proven principles and is able to give options even when you’re not quite on top of your game then please do get in touch. Take a look around the website, you can find details of our personal training options along with other articles you might find helpful if you’re choosing to live a more active life.
Thanks for reading.
Phil
Phil Jacobs
Phil Jacobs is Founder and Coach at SecondHalf Active which promotes superior strength and fitness as the cornerstones of living our best lives over the age of 35. We believe exercise and training looks different for men and women as we age and that injury prevention and recovery have to be at the forefront of our thinking.
For your free PT trial at the SecondHalf Active gym in Harpenden, please call us on 0796163262 or email us at hello@secondhalf.co.uk.
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