Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 – Daily Blog

As Mental Health Awareness Week draws to a close we wanted to consider how movement and being active has a multitude of benefits on top of promoting mental health and physical health; one of which is Community. Finding the time, motivation and energy to exercise can be a challenge, as Liz shared in our Monday blog, but as Elspeth and Molly share below, finding Community through activity can be a great way to promote and sustain it....

Elspeth’s Story

“I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with exercise and in general my motivation to ‘get up and move’ on my own is low. I’ve dabbled with running, swimming, yoga and gyms… Most consistently I’ve walked (with my friend – motivation in being able to catch up, walking a by-product). After the birth of my daughter, for lots of reasons, I decided I needed to be a bit more consistent with my exercise. I was starting from a point of limited activity and tentatively approached my local gym. I started to attend classes, at the back, trying to stay hidden, the instructors noticed, and gently encouraged/correcting technique – ensuring I was getting something from attending. I started to recognise fellow class members, occasional nods, and smiles – more encouragement. Over time, I learnt some names, made some friends – though I was still the one at the back, arriving half asleep, not saying hello’s until the end of my classes, when I’d woken up a bit! Recently someone asked how long I’d been going, they were new and I’d been the one to smile to encourage, I thought… it’s been about 7 years. I realised I’d not really thought about it, it’s become a habit. Being consistent has been made easier by the Community, the instructors, and fellow class mates – friends. A Community that encourages and supports you. We aren’t all at the same stage, of physical capability, of life, but we are there together sharing that space. I am fitter than I was 7 years ago and if I don’t go now, I might even admit to missing it (just a little!), but for me it’s not just the physical fitness. The Community brings mental health benefits and social inclusion.”

Molly’s Story

“When starting a fitness or health journey the gym can be an overwhelming and intimidating place. That’s certainly how I felt when I decided to sign up in the usually January resolutions whirlwind. When expressing my anxieties about attending my local gym to a colleague at the time they offered to join me and become my ‘gym buddy’ a sentiment I still appreciate to this day. We were both novices and had little experience with the range of equipment at our disposal but with the encouragement from one another we slowly built our routines and the courage to attend classes. The friendly and familiar face made the classes feel more comfortable and having someone to laugh with as we struggled with certain moves made any insecurity melt away. My ‘gym buddy’ has since moved and I have been left to navigate a new gym setting alone. However, the friendly nature of the setting has encouraged me to keep going and strive for my own goals while seeking new connections and find my own Community.”

The gym may not be for you, that’s ok, but this Mental Health Awareness Week 2024, we ask you to consider your #MomentsforMovement, would finding Your Community help?