Together for Mental Health

In 2022, Mental Health Awareness Month focuses on "Together for Mental Health." This theme emphasizes unity in advocating for better mental health care and supporting each other. Community is crucial for mental health. Joining forces with others boosts emotional well-being and physical activity success.

Let's examine how exercise and mental health are related. Frequent exercise enhances mental health in a number of significant ways:

• Increased neurotransmitter production from exercise can promote the growth of new brain cells.
• Learning new skills, such as new forms of exercise, can enhance brain clarity and cognitive function.
• By giving you a sense of achievement and success, exercise can increase your self-esteem, which directly affects your mental health.
• Sleep, a sometimes disregarded component of mental wellness, can be enhanced by exercise.
• You can take a break from your hectic schedule by exercising.
• It's crucial to set aside some time to take care of your own physical and emotional health.
• A lot of people who suffer from depression or anxiety use exercise as a healthy coping strategy.
• Working out in a group—and here's where togetherness comes in is a chance to meet people, form friendships, and experience a supportive and upbeat community.

Enhance benefits by exercising outdoors to reduce tension, anger, and absorb vitamin D for managing depressive symptoms. Outdoor workouts boost movement benefits, with nature exposure linked to improved mental health - reducing stress, enhancing mood, and cognitive function. Incorporate mindfulness techniques like mindful movement (beyond yoga, tai chi) such as walking, cycling, and focusing on breathing patterns. Meditation, prayer, and breathing exercises also aid mental health.

Including mindfulness practices in your regular routine might also help you feel better mentally. This can be achieved in a variety of ways, such as mindful movement, which goes beyond conventional exercises like yoga, tai chi, and qigong to include walking, cycling, and rowing. By concentrating on the repetitive movement, your breathing pattern, and how your body feels as it moves through space, you can make any of these activities more mindful. Breathing techniques, prayer, and meditation are also excellent choices.

So, how does social support help?

Exercise is more enjoyable and sustainable with social support. Working out with others adds fun, accountability, and motivation. Sharing workout goals with a friend keeps you both on track. Gratitude enhances mental well-being during any exercise, whether solo or in a group. Celebrate every achievement, big or small, with friends to make the journey more rewarding.

While exercising alone can still have positive effects, doing so in a group setting or with a friend or family member significantly increases the likelihood of long-term adherence. Social support makes physical activity much more enjoyable and offers inspiration, accountability, and companionship. You are more likely to show up if you know your friend is counting on you to do so. This is a two-way street that also keeps your friend on course.

Last but not least, cultivating an attitude of thankfulness can have a profound impact on your mental health, regardless of the kind of exercise you select and whether you do it alone, with a partner, or in a group exercise class. Exercise should be viewed as a celebration of your abilities rather than a way to draw attention to your shortcomings. Every accomplishment you make along the way is worth celebrating, whether it's finishing a class, walking an additional lap at the high school track, or doing one more push-up than you could last week. It's much more fun when you do it with friends.