Exercise + Mental Health

There is absolutely a connection between physical and mental health.

Being active, whether that's in the gym or something less formal, like a dance party in the living room or a nice walk with the family, helps relieve stress and can foster a more positive mindset and self-image. 

Regular exercise boosts energy, improves sleep and mood, and can alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD. 

On the flip side, the fitness world can be a dark and scary place, and focusing too much on exercise and body image, at the expense of other areas of life, can have the opposite effects on mood, self-worth, energy levels, and overall mental health. 

Like hair stylists and bartenders, personal trainers tend to hear it all, and we may have to act a little bit like therapists sometimes. 

Skilled trainers are curious, open-minded, non-judgmental, and focused on finding the right plan for each individual, qualities that are shared with mental health professionals. 

Our skills, training, and expertise only go so far though, and when clients are really struggling with burnout, overwhelm, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or other challenges, they need more guidance from qualified health professionals.

Workouts with a trusted trainer can absolutely be an important piece of the puzzle, but when life gets extra difficult and heavy, adding actual therapy is a smart and valuable step. 

It's easy to say "Exercise is the best antidepressant;" it can be a lot harder to get out of bed, much less go to the gym and do a workout, if you're struggling with depression. 

Exercise can be an important part of healing for people who've experienced trauma, but popping into any commercial gym or fitness class may feel unsafe or be triggering. 

And anyone who's experienced injuries or chronic pain or illness knows what a mental toll it can take when your body doesn't feel right, when it's painful or not possible to move or to exercise the way you'd like. 

Sharing what you're experiencing with your trainer, as much as you're comfortable doing so, is important because it allows them to adjust your programming as needed to accommodate physical constraints and mental health concerns. 

Working with a trusted mental health professional can help you get the support and tools you need to stay active and get back to the things you enjoy, as much as possible. 

You can't tell if someone's healthy just by looking at them. 

I can guarantee you there are a lot of people who look like they're crushing it at the gym, but they're struggling in many other ways. 

Working out your stress and frustration in the gym is absolutely valuable; there just might be other things to address in your life outside the gym as well. 

If you're truly focusing on your fitness and nutrition in order to improve your health and longevity in the long run, make sure you're not doing it at the expense of your mental health and well-being. 

To live long, full lives, we need to take care of our bodies and our minds as best we can.