MENTAL HEALTH AND THE GYM

A gym is a place for physical & mental therapy.

In fact, anywhere you feel comfortable training is.

Fitness is significantly underrated when it comes to talking about the benefits it has on your mental health.

The gym isn’t just a place to train, it is somewhere to grow both physically and mentally. You can help yourself become stronger and more resilient both in your mind and body.

Regular exercise can have a huge positive impact on depression, anxiety, and ADHD and so many more mental health issues.

It helps you relieve stress, can improve your memory, helps you sleep better by giving you routine and regularly tiring you, and boosts your overall mood. The best part is you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic to feel the benefits.

Exercise is a natural and highly effective anti-anxiety therapy. It relieves stress and tension in your mind, boosting physical and mental energy, and increases well-being from the release of endorphins.

Endorphins are chemicals produced by the body to relieve stress and pain. Chemically your body is helping your mind when you exercise. All you need to do to start is get up and get moving.

It can feel daunting, some days you may be struggling to get out of bed. When those days come around remember that it is okay to take time for yourself to relax and recharge. But, you’ll also feel much better in yourself even just from 5 mins of fresh air or movement.

Take little steps first and build up each time you feel you can. Go from 5 minutes to 10, 20, 30, an hour, your body and mind will thank you for it.

Bad moods are temporary and can change after a session in the gym.

If it’s anger or depression you may be feeling, releasing those feelings into a good workout session can be a great way to let go of those feelings. Push them out of your body through exercise!

Research shows that even small daily amounts of exercise can make a significant difference from the start.

Fitness is not exclusive either, no matter your age or fitness level. You can use exercise as a powerful method of dealing with mental health problems. You can improve your energy, and get more out of life.

Everyone has to start somewhere, starting can feel like the scariest part.

Our beginner members have found that a Personal Trainer is a great way to get beginners into fitness.

Remember: “EVERY EXPERT WAS ONCE A BEGINNER”

Firstly, it’s judgement your mind is struggling with, don’t worry about what other people think. Secondly, you’re all there to improve and be better than yesterday. No one has the right to assume anything about you or what you’re going through. Finally, what matters is you’re making an effort and taking steps to take care of yourself.

Be selfish and put yourself first! Taking time out of your day for exercise should not feel like a guilty choice. Having time away from your friends/family or just leaving your house is okay and is the right thing to do for your mental health.

Imagine starting out. You’re going to the gym a few times a week and you begin to feel the benefits mentally and physically. Now think about sticking to that routine for a year and what you would achieve and how you would grow as a person.

Most importantly if you are having a hard day or a hard week, that’s okay! What’s important is that you don’t give up on yourself.

Being surrounded by others in the gym is inspiring and motivating in itself, no matter what they look like. All staff and members at Castle Gym respect anyone who takes the time to put the work into being a better person. We will smile at you and make sure you know that you’re doing good.

Look after your mind and body.