I love exercising. Working out, training or whatever you call it to motivate yourself from sofa to gym. I’m not obsessive about training, and I do not have the instagrammable, honed body that for many people is the sole reason for hitting the gym. I train for the challenge, the endorphins and the hall-pass to eating and drinking whatever I desire. However, this year I have been mentally challenged by losing my job, resulting in a lifestyle change, loss of routine, structure, friendships and confidence, and experiencing loneliness for the first time in my life.
At the beginning of this new period in my life, the temptation to stay at home all day browsing the online job boards, drinking copious cups of tea, half-watching ITV daytime TV was overwhelming, and I definitely indulged in far to many of these days.
In falling into this new non-routine, I neglected my previous lifestyle of getting up early, working for 9 hours, followed by exercise classes and cooking with a glass of wine. At first it felt good, like a naughty snow day from school. But eventually I began to dread being left alone for the day, with only hours of TV and chasing dead-end job applications stretching in-front of me. I lost confidence in my voice; what did I have to say that is relevant? My overactive brain became neurotic and obsessive, rather than useful, creative and engaged.
I procrastinated about putting my old gym kit back on and leaving the house (I’ll do it after breakfast, I’ll do it after lunch…), but I finally laced up my trainers and headed to the gym. The minute I stepped inside the gym and greeted the staff at the desk, I felt immediately closer to the ‘real me’ again.
I try and listen to podcasts and radio shows while exercising — I attempted to learn Italian while running for a while but my brain receptors became frazzled! This mental and physical stimulation is — for me at least — the equivalent as a slap in the face and an ice cold shower.
There is nothing better for switching up your mood from unemployable and directionless to positive, motivated and confident than an hour session in the gym listening to a podcast, or a jog around the park while people watching, or a spinning class with ten other sweaty individuals, each with their own personal reasons for releasing their endorphins.
Focus on your mental health firstly by tackling your physical health — you’ll be surprised in how your state of mind can change by just moving your body and getting a sweat on.