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THREAD: MOVEMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH.
Depression and anxiety hate a moving target.
Here are 7 insights I've learned over the last 10 years researching, writing, and coaching on this stuff.
On mental health, sustainable success, and well-being for everyone.
Depression and anxiety hate a moving target.
Here are 7 insights I've learned over the last 10 years researching, writing, and coaching on this stuff.
On mental health, sustainable success, and well-being for everyone.
When it comes to mental health, exercise and movement are synonymous with physical activity—for example: a regimented workout, fast-paced walk, vigorous gardening, or running.
The evidence is clear: regular movement can help prevent, manage and even treat depression and anxiety.
The evidence is clear: regular movement can help prevent, manage and even treat depression and anxiety.
Why does exercise help with mental health so much? A mix of factors.
-Some biological (chemicals in the brain).
-Some psychological (confidence, mastery, self-reliance).
-Some social (community).
-Some still unknown.
(More details in this article.) https://www.outsideonline.com/2401557/exercise-depression-research
-Some biological (chemicals in the brain).
-Some psychological (confidence, mastery, self-reliance).
-Some social (community).
-Some still unknown.
(More details in this article.) https://www.outsideonline.com/2401557/exercise-depression-research
It is very important to note that exercise is NOT a cure-all or a panacea for mental health. For some people it can be enough. For others it is not.
It is probably best thought of as a tool in the toolkit—which includes therapy, medication, nutrition, and sleep hygiene.
It is probably best thought of as a tool in the toolkit—which includes therapy, medication, nutrition, and sleep hygiene.
I suspect there is also a sequencing element. If you are in the throes of deep depression or anxiety and someone tells you "just exercise more" that probably isn't going to be so helpful.
Sometimes therapy and medication help most at first and then exercise helps most later on.
Sometimes therapy and medication help most at first and then exercise helps most later on.
Whatever your "job" may be—whether an athlete, writer, executive, founder, parent, or musician—think of exercise as a PART OF IT.
Too many people neglect exercise because they see it as something separate from their main work. This is a trap. Exercise is a foundational habit.
Too many people neglect exercise because they see it as something separate from their main work. This is a trap. Exercise is a foundational habit.
Mood FOLLOWS action.
You don't need to feel good to get going. You need to get going to give yourself a chance at feeling good.
Intrusive thoughts and feelings are stubborn. This is why "think positive" usually fails. So much of this is about breaking inertia. Movement helps.
You don't need to feel good to get going. You need to get going to give yourself a chance at feeling good.
Intrusive thoughts and feelings are stubborn. This is why "think positive" usually fails. So much of this is about breaking inertia. Movement helps.
In practice: right now, perhaps more than ever, do everything you can to carve out at least 20 minutes of physical activity into your day.
Even if it feels like you are forcing yourself. Even if it's just walking.
Show up and do it regularly. See how you feel after.
Even if it feels like you are forcing yourself. Even if it's just walking.
Show up and do it regularly. See how you feel after.
If you want more evidence-based content on peak performance, sustainable success, mental health, well-being, and career advice give me a follow. I post similar ideas and insights daily, and threads like this 2x/week.
I've just learned a wonderful organization, #BellLetsTalk 
, will donate 5 cents toward mental health work for every retweet this gets today.
Let's make this thread one of the most retweeted on the internet.
, will donate 5 cents toward mental health work for every retweet this gets today. Let's make this thread one of the most retweeted on the internet.