MOVE IT!

Here’s another tool to add to your Good Mental Health Toolbox. Get moving!

Studies have repeatedly shown the many benefits of physical activity. Exercise is good for both your physical and your mental health.

People living with depressed or anxious moods can find themselves spending more time being sedentary – isolating, staying in bed, or not moving. This begins as a coping skill to attempt to manage mood but becomes an unhealthy habit that only increases the depression or anxiety.

Breaking that habit means getting up and starting to move. Exercise does not have to be strenuous to be beneficial. One of the simplest things to do is to go outside and take a 30-minute walk. Can’t quite do 30 minutes? Slow down and build up the habit by beginning with a 10-minute walk.

And there's another benefit! Since many of us have a tendency to overindulge with calories during the holiday season, this is an excellent time to start thinking about including some extra activity into your schedule.

What can you do today to increase your level of physical activity?