2019-10-01 Australian Men\'s Fitness

94 MEN’S FITNESS OCTOBER 2019

University of Essex, UK, found that 94 percent

of people who took part in outdoor exercise

activities said that their mental health had

improved. In fact, “ecotherapy” – activities

that take place in nature – can be as effective as

antidepressants in treating mild to moderate

depression. Unlike working out in the gym or

other indoor activities, the colours, sounds and

smells you find outdoors stimulate your senses

in a different way, and can boost your mood.

Just as taking your fitness outdoors can

amplify the positive effects of exercise, so too

can grouping together. As well as the social

benefits, says Dr Owen, “Exercising as part of

a team or with a friend can provide support

and enhance motivation, and goals can be

worked on together.” Of course, Dr Owen also

agrees that the most effective form of fitness

is whatever you enjoy the most.

While all forms of exercise can bring benefits

for mental wellbeing, the most important thing

is to find a type of activity you love and can stick

at. A team sport might be best for you if you

value the boost of a strong social element, while

for others who benefit from time to themselves,

an activity like solo running might work better.

Don’t feel that you have to stick at something

that’s not working for you.

Half the battle

None of this is to say that depression can

be cured by simply lacing up your trainers.

Australia wouldn’t, if that were the case, be

in the grip of a very real mental health crisis.

Although an active lifestyle can provide the

framework for positivity, anyone suffering from

depression should, first and foremost, seek

professional guidance. “Friends or family,

lifestyle changes and rest are all important in

recovery,” advises Dr Owen, “as well as looking

at thought or behaviour patterns that may be

contributing factors. There may be issues in the

past that need addressing in order for recovery

to take place. Prioritising recovery, surrounding

yourself with supportive people and keeping

well away from any sources of the attitude that

you should be ‘pulling yourself together’ is

extremely important. Depression is an illness

that needs to be taken seriously.” n

If youareexperiencingdepression, there are

a number of services available that can offer

advice,supportandinformation:

Askforhelp

Lifeline – 13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467

Men’s Line – 1300 78 99 78; mensline.org.au

RUOK? – ruok.org.au

Movember Foundation – au.movember.com

beyondblue – beyondblue.org.au

Twomenfightingdepressionwithfitness

n “I’ve suffered with mental ill-health from

around the age of 17. I was actually suffering

with depression, but it took me a while to

realise it. I had no experience of dealing

with it before and had never been educated

on mental health illnesses whatsoever.

It wasn’t until I went onto a website and

looked up symptoms that I realised what

was happening.

“I managed to get the support I needed, but

when I was 21 at university, I began suffering

with depression again. This time, there was

a lot going on in my life and it really took hold

of me. I began self-harming and was even

planning my own suicide. That took me a while

to get over and to be honest I think I’ll have

mental scarring from that time for the rest

of my life. All in all, I’m in quite a good place

mentally at the moment, but I have to be

mindful of my mentality on a daily basis.

“Very fortunately, my parents are both PE

teachers, so from a young age I had firsthand

experience of the way physical exercise

benefits my mentality, so I’ve always used

it as a tool to help combat my low feelings.

These days, I mainly work out in a gym. I like

the solitude of working out on my own: it’s my

time to unload mentally and physically. If I get

up and get in the gym in the morning, I’m in

such a better place mentally and physically.

It’s honestly going to be a tool I use for the

rest of my life to help keep me in check.”

n “Like many people, I have days when I’m low,

but occasionally the ‘Black Dog’ will visit for

a longer time (2015-2018 most recently) and

it will make me question my self-worth, my

future, my goals and my ability to achieve

them. It will convince me that I don’t need to

spend any time with anyone else, and I’ll end

up shunning the people and activities I love.

I’ll cancel engagements, ignore friends and

convince myself that self-medication with

food is the answer. It becomes a cycle of

self-destruction and self-loathing.

“But when I was 38, and 159kg, I discovered

the joy of walking – then running, cycling

and swimming. I’m a ‘try athlete’, as I love

experiencing new sports, but those that

benefit my mental health most are the ones

mentioned. Being active brings a variety

of benefits. A walk, run or cycle in a park is

invigorating: the sounds, smells and sights

of running water, birds, trees and open fields

all make me feel alive. There’s a sense of

accomplishment and my self-belief increases

as I walk further, and run and cycle faster.

“In my darkest days, I know that forcing

myself to go for a walk or run always brightens

my mood. While it gives you time to think, it’s

also a great way to escape from the pressures

of life and to give yourself some precious time

to yourself.”

Rory

Nicklin, 26

Stephen

Morrison, 46

“I like the solitude of working out on my own: it’s

my time to unload mentally and physically. If I get

up and get in the gym in the morning, I’m in such

a better place mentally and physically.”