2019-10-01 Australian Men\'s Fitness

(Brent) #1
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.”
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