The Nolan sisters may have always been in the right mood for exercise, but sometimes we feel like doing anything but!

Of course, physical activity has massive physical benefits, but in my experience, the emotional benefits are far greater and can really help to combat negative moods, attitudes, feelings and even psychiatric conditions. If you are someone who has a tendency towards any of these, then read on!

Feeling Low

We all feel low at times because of situations in our loves or because of a chemical imbalance in the brain. It’s at these times that we don’t want to take ourselves off the couch and into the world but doing so can really make a difference. Putting regular exercise in can go some way to correcting the chemical imbalance in our brains that causes the negativity. Try promising yourself that you can come home after ten minutes if you want to. Start with a brisk walk and see what happens!

Feeling apathetic

We often say to ourselves: “What difference will exercise make anyway?”, “I can’t be bothered”, “It’s easier to just carry on as usual and whatever will be will be”, “I’m too unfit to even start”, “I’ve just got too far to go / too much weight to lose.”

Actually, it will make a BIG difference and it will change your mindset.

So when you start thinking it won’t make a difference, remember that each little positive step adds up to positive results! You can either start drifting further backwards, or you can take some positive steps forwards.

Feeling Angry

Most people assume that exercise makes you feel less aggressive and angry because sweating, puffing, and even punching (a pad!) is a great way to release emotions. This is true, but exercise does much more than just getting it out of your system! Exercise actually changes brain activity so that we don’t feel aggressive in the first place.

There is a part of the brain that makes us evaluate the consequences of our actions before we react to a situation and take action. Exercise helps us to decide whether to react physically or verbally, or to allow something to wash over us. It increased activity in this area of the brain, boosts rational thought and makes us less likely to lash out.

Any exercise activity will help with your anger, but fast-paced aerobics, dance-based exercise to music, or boxing could be right up your street!

Feeling rubbish with PMT

The human body was designed for movement, and when we don’t move much our bodies and the different processes within them slow down and can’t produce the natural pain-fighting chemicals they were designed to produce. Endorphins are released when you exercise and these help to reduce pain.

Exercise can also help to alleviate bloating as water moves through the body more effectively when circulation is improved. Digestion also becomes easier, acne less of an issue and headaches are eased because of the extra blood flow. Exercise can also distract you from your symptoms.

So while you are lying on the sofa with your hot water bottle on your stomach and exercise is the last thing you want to do, just give it a gentle go and see what happens. Then, in the future, as you exercise more regularly throughout the month, this will help to alleviate your symptoms naturally.

“So dance, yeah let’s dance, come on and dance…”

We cover finding motivation to build healthy habits, including exercise, as part of the Healthy, Whole and Free course. The next one starts on 4^th May and runs for 12 weeks. We’d love to help you find freedom in this area. Registration is open now and you can get more infomration and sign up here.