21/365 - Exercise and Mental wellness

October-November 2010

Around this time we moved from Fulham and rented a place of our own in Roehampton, near Putney.

In the Summer the flat was lovely and we had a view over Richmond Park from the seventh floor.

During winter it was freezing, the wind would break through the cracks of the window frames and mould would form, it was hard to keep it under control.

I would always say that we will be moving from there and would forget again in the warm season.

A baby on the way was the wake up call and that is when we decided to leave, after three years. Unfortunately, this is a very common thing in London.

In the commute to and from work the bus would get stuck on Putney Bridge for ages so, I switched to commuting by bike.

Going on the bike before work and right after work was so refreshing! No matter how upsetting or hard the day had been, the bike ride would take it away. By the time I would reach home after going up Putney Hill I was high on endorphins!

Exercise is not really a choice, we were designed to move

I am all about the weights and I think that everyone should at least give them an honest try, but at the end of the day you should go with anything that makes you happy! Like seriously - running, dancing, aerial yoga, tennis, curling,… whatever!

On social media there is too much emphasis on the physical part and too little on the mental.

A person that normally exercises a few times a week, will feel the difference in their mental state in less than two weeks after stopping.

A person that has a sedentary lifestyle does not know what they are missing out on, because in some situations being unwell has become the new norm.

The ability to self regulate emotions or to be more resilient to stress through exercise is not new, but it rarely makes first page.

A feeling or an internal state is not as marketable as aesthetics.

In my situation a big step towards forming new habits was to stop saying that it all starts tomorrow and ask myself about today. Not having a plan generated too much frustration for me.

I was at home, working out sporadically for four years after the kids and I know how hard it is, but I believe you can find a way. If there is anything you want to ask me, even if I do not know the answer, I will try to find out for you.

Reach out for help and talk to someone! Take care of yourself!

You got this!