Our fitness expert, Siobhan Sentry, of Advanced Fitness Education, talks about the relationship between physical health and mental wellbeing….
Mental health is a topic that’s close to most people’s hearts. People can get a little uncomfortable when talking about mental health, but the funny thing about it is that everyone has mental health, the same way everyone has cardiovascular health.
What people get uncomfortable about is how mental health can range from well to unwell to mental illness, as in the continuum below:
At different times of our lives, in reaction to different situations, we will find ourselves on different parts of the continuum. What’s important is the survival techniques you use when you start finding yourself on the right side of the continuum. Having plans in place to bring you back to the left hand side is important for your wellbeing and stress management.
Looking at different ques to put in place, wellbeing can be divided up into mind, body, soul.
Keeping the body healthy through good eating and exercise has a positive impact on mental health. Exercise gives you energy, helps you sleep and boosts happy hormones, endorphins. Eating a balanced diet keeps the mind balanced, you can read more about the recent research on positive effects of diet on mental health on www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Keeping the soul healthy can include doing things like volunteering or charity work, which gives people a big boost of self worth. It also includes taking time to see friends, just relax and laugh with those close to you.
Often when people find them selves on the right side of the continuum the last thing they want to do is be around others, it’s important to recognise that shutting yourself off from the world doesn’t help matters it makes them worse.
And lastly for the mind, it’s important to recognise where you are on the mental health continuum but also to have a think about mind ques you can use to help pull your back to left hand side of the continuum – wellbeing. Asking yourself what’s important to you? Is it your family, kids, dog, sports?
What ever it is having a visual que to look at and remind yourself what’s important to you and means most to you. Perhaps you have a song or playlist that puts you in good spirits? Think about your goals in life, maybe it’s time to set some, write them down and work towards them, start with something small and enjoy the sense of achievement and self worth you feel when you achieve them.
When all fails and you feel like your getting the raw end of the stick in life remember – god gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.
This artical is just general positive mental health and wellbeing tips that I have picked up and learned about while working in health promotion, it doesn’t compare to the advice of qualified professionals. Some useful numbers are:
Console helpline – 1800 247247
Pieta House, Castleisland – 066 7163660
Aware – 1890 303302
Samaritans – 116 123
Shine – 1890 621631
• Siobhan Sentry is Course Director with Advanced Fitness Education at Tralee Sports And Leisure Centre. She has eight years diverse industry experience. She has worked worldwide as a personal trainer and group exercise instructor and a top level wellness specialist designing and implementing health and wellness initiatives for multinational corporate companies. For more visit their website by clicking here
