Given the sensitive nature of this topic, I feel that it’s necessary to start out my first blog with a disclaimer. I am not a doctor, nor do I profess in any way to be an expert on the topic of mental health. If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, PTSD or any other sort of serious issues, please consult your doctor and get the help you deserve. What I’m sharing are just a few tips that have helped me and may serve you as well. These views are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Allwell.

That said, the mental benefits of a workout are just as important as achieving your physical goals. The two go hand-in-hand. 

The most common excuse people give for not exercising regularly is “I don’t have the time.” I do empathize that people have tight schedules to make a workout happen. However – just focusing on the mental benefits of a workout – most people (myself included) sleep more soundly, and thus feel more refreshed the next day. Also – just as a quick-fix for you THAT day, exercise is a great way to “reset” yourself mentally and get in the right frame of mind. 

There are many workout videos on the Allwell application which directly impact mental health. I’d like to highlight two that I personally use. If you only have a short time, under “Dance” try “Sleek 5 Minute Warm Up.”  At minimum, it will get the blood flowing. If you DO have 30 minutes, I strongly recommend under “Mind and Body,” “Yoga 30 mins with Sam #2”. This particular exercise is excellent to achieve that full, mental “reset” I mentioned earlier.

Additionally, there is a “Mindfulness” tab on the app that you should explore. Here you’ll find many options for meditation, soothing sounds to get you in a better frame of mind, and activities you can do if you have the luxury of nature nearby.

Finally, I’ll personalize this a bit and give you a few things that have helped my mental health lately:

  • Reach out to a friend or family member that you haven’t spoken to for a while. They will likely be very happy to hear from you – probably more so than you realize!
  • Eat well. There is a “Nutrition” tab on the app that provides valuable insight & specifics. Think of your body as a machine, and what you intake in food & beverages as the fuel to that machine. If you want to be able to operate mentally and physically at your peak, consider this when you choose what to consume. 
  • Identify what you love doing and find time for that! Yes, I know – I just asked you to find time for regular exercise. Now you’re saying “OK, this too? You’re pushing it!” 

Simply writing this list worked for me! Make a list of ALL the activities you enjoy doing. Rank them in order of importance to you. Then, in that order, figure out how you can incorporate them sensibly into your life. 

I know this sounds cliche, but it really helps your mental health when you spend more of your time doing the things you love!

Finally, I encourage you to engage with the “Community” button on the Allwell.io app to find tips and other like-minded people. This will help keep you headed in the right direction!

– Johnny Premier, COO of Allwell