Some thoughts on the mental health benefits of exercise

So, I've got complex trauma and a long history of anxiety & depression. When I am unwell, every movement is hard- shower, dishes, laundry, etc. I also have a weight issue, so I feel super uncomfortable in a gym or fitness class, and a lot of it is very expensive. Any fitness packaged as "weight loss" makes me feel uncomfortable and bad about myself. In a gym, I feel like other members are there for the purposes of not looking like me!

Despite all of that, last year I started working with an exercise physiologist (EP) who is a part of a mental health clinic focused on treating depression. I also found some affordable exercise classes subsidised by the local council that are focused on improving wellbeing. My EP has been so wonderful in terms of making me feel emotionally safe and more confident to try new things and push myself in a good way. She's also made sure I'm charged affordable rates for her sessions, because I've only been working part time recently due to my mental health. I've gotten to the point where I try to do at least 10 mins of exercise most days, such as dynamic stretching, tai chi, yoga. I'm really surprised by the mood benefits- less anxiety, less disassociation, less depression.

I have a lot of thoughts on mental health treatment in this country, and how narrow it is (medication + CBT). I am still on medication and I still see a psychologist, and I believe these elements have an important role but I think treatment needs more to actually be effective. I have been trying to spruik this EP service to everyone such as my friends who have disclosed mental health problems, and even my GP. I suggested that my GP could consider referring people with depression to this service alongside the usual treatments.

I also think the fitness industry is toxic, and there needs to be more affordable and holistic services that promote exercise for its many, many other benefits. I think when you live in a larger body, you can experience discrimination when you try to enjoy exercise and this leads to worse health outcomes!

So, the take-away is if you're thinking of adding some exercise into your treatment, it will really help and there are ways to access exercise without body shaming. I do 10 - 20 minute videos on YouTube to supplement the other stuff, so that's an easy place to start. "Dynamic stretching" is a good search term for videos that are gentle for people who may have lost condition over time and are not "lose the tummy fat" oriented. That's my 2 cents.