I remember a time when I was both mentally managing and physically very fit as a fell runner. I won races and was a recognised “athlete”, albeit in the small pond of this sport. My mental health hit and stopped me dead. I had not run for 7 years. It was an effort to get out of bed let alone outside in the mountains again.
I then joined as a member of the Get Yourself Active Sounding Board group, initially contributing with little of my own activity but longing to do so. Over the months of hearing how other Disabled people manage to get active inspired me to start and do something. Ok, I can no longer run the distances or speeds of the past and cannot train every day, but I do what I can with what I have now!
Losing my job means I cannot afford to go to a gym or subscribe to apps, but I can use some of my personal budget to being active in some way. The benefits are worth it. Coffee with friends? Ok, miss that 10 times and you can afford a pair of trainers to walk with. Same benefits but also addressing the physical side. I am always fatigued, so it’s worth it as it helps here too and however tired I am I do feel more energised and much better after just moving my body a little. GYA taught me that so many cope with not being able to move their body as they desire but that anything is better than nothing!
Simple walking has been my saviour., and I just need a decent pair of trainers. On the days I can manage it, because I still have those days when getting out of bed is a plus, I really feel the added benefit of putting myself in a situation where I am in a social environment. It keeps my mind engaged and not stressing or dwelling about why my life sucks. It gets me a little out of my head and enhances those social connections.
I started with what I knew and enjoy. Moving outside. I am so slow now but that’s ok, slow means I know I can do it without beating myself up and I am more likely to repeat it.
It is not plain sailing and there are days I still cannot leave the house. So, I’ve learnt from my fellow GYA colleagues that anything is a bonus. Getting up to change channel, stretching, wiggling my feet, extending a leg or reaching above me and turning my neck. On those bad days everything is a bonus. Just try not to stay in bed. If a favourite song comes on the radio I can jig around the kitchen with head thrown back rather than buried on my tear-soaked pillow. GYA helped me reflect and think of other creative ways I can interpret physical activity and participate in outdoor activities. The act of just doing something. positive has also given me motivation to improve other areas of my life to complement my exercise like diet and staying hydrated. Above all, these social connections we make when getting outside of our heads and seeing/talking to others have been pivotal to improving my outlook and helping me feel less isolated.
Of course, exercise won’t take away all my mental distress and suffering but it is a damn good outlet for some distraction. It takes the edge off episodes of extreme distress even if temporarily.
Just 20 minutes of positive movement can be the thing I hold onto all day in keeping me going because it’s better than nothing. Who knows, tomorrow it could be 30 minutes!
In GYA we all find ways to overcome our barriers and accept we are not always successful. One person’s success may be very different to others, but we have the support to try whatever works for us on our journey to being more active. When you cannot move from bed due to depression, fear and anxiety, 10 minutes around the block makes me feel like Paula Radcliffe. So please do connect with GYA and I hope you will find some inspiration to wiggle that pinkie or squeeze your bum whilst the kettle is boiling. You may find you progress to balancing on 1 leg whilst brushing your teeth? It’s fun trying.
