I have been asked to write a piece on why I have decided to become a mental health ambassador for WOTR.
I have suffered with anxiety and depression intermittently over many years. My first bout was triggered after the early death of my mother in 1991 and has plagued me on and off ever since. Over the years I have taken medication, taken part in weeks of group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and have learned the basics of mindfulness so I can honestly say I know anxiety and depression inside out. I know that anxiety will always be a part of my life but over the years I have learned through diverse ways how to ‘tame’ it so that it doesn’t control me.
What has helped me more than anything is exercise and running in particular. The physical effort of running helps to calm down the mind by releasing endorphins which leaves the body feeling more positive, reduces stress, boosts self- esteem and helps to ward off anxiety and depression. I find that even on bad days when I wake up with anxiety and it’s hard to get going, a run, even a short run, will help to control my anxiety and leave me feeling better. Conversely, I also know the feeling of not having the motivation to do anything let alone running, so I know it’s not easy to start something physical when life is giving you a good kicking.
I am looking forward to working with our WOTR fellow mental health ambassadors over the next few months. I do hope that anyone interested in becoming a mental health ambassador or would like to find out about what we are planning will come and have a chat with me. I currently run with the Thursday groups running from Morrisons.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
Lynn
I have suffered with anxiety and depression intermittently over many years. My first bout was triggered after the early death of my mother in 1991 and has plagued me on and off ever since. Over the years I have taken medication, taken part in weeks of group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and have learned the basics of mindfulness so I can honestly say I know anxiety and depression inside out. I know that anxiety will always be a part of my life but over the years I have learned through diverse ways how to ‘tame’ it so that it doesn’t control me.
What has helped me more than anything is exercise and running in particular. The physical effort of running helps to calm down the mind by releasing endorphins which leaves the body feeling more positive, reduces stress, boosts self- esteem and helps to ward off anxiety and depression. I find that even on bad days when I wake up with anxiety and it’s hard to get going, a run, even a short run, will help to control my anxiety and leave me feeling better. Conversely, I also know the feeling of not having the motivation to do anything let alone running, so I know it’s not easy to start something physical when life is giving you a good kicking.
I am looking forward to working with our WOTR fellow mental health ambassadors over the next few months. I do hope that anyone interested in becoming a mental health ambassador or would like to find out about what we are planning will come and have a chat with me. I currently run with the Thursday groups running from Morrisons.
Thanks for taking the time to read.
Lynn