Body
To get my anxiety and depression under control, I had to find a combination of medications that were right for me. In my case, my mental health challenges had a genetic component, so medication had to be part of the solution. For others, these challenges are purely situational (i.e., related solely to stress at work), and thus, no medication is needed. I also had to release the self-imposed “stigma” of having to take these medications. After all, my situation was no different than that of a person who needs medication for any physical ailment, such as high blood pressure, thyroid problems, or the like.
Additionally, I was fortunate enough to have started exercising regularly many years earlier, when I was in college. Even when I felt at my worst, I kept up that routine. Exercise calms my mind. It is a form of meditation, during which I gain clarity in a variety of ways, as long as I focus on the exercise and do not fret or worry about something in the future or in the past.
“Get some exercise every day to keep your body happy… Keeping your body happy helps to keep the rest of you happy.”
– Pat Palmer, Liking Myself, 1977
In the early Fall of 2024, I was at a meeting on wellness in the workplace. When the meeting turned to the topic of exercise, one person said, “I take walks every morning. These walks give me the opportunity to read my work emails and to respond to them.” Another person had purchased a walking pad. This person said, “I walk on this walking pad when I am on my computer, working at home.”
I found these comments to be a bit disheartening. For exercise to be a stress-reducer for me, I need to put the work aside while I exercise. This would be crucial to my mental health even if I only had time to exercise for five or ten minutes a day. Otherwise, the exercise is contributing to a burnout because I’m working when I should not be and I’m not giving myself a much-needed break.
Finally, I attend a Yoga class once a week. This particular class is gentle Yoga. Although it does not involve vigorous exercise, it does help me with my balance. While Yoga is not for everyone, I find it to be very centering and extremely helpful in getting me out into the community where I can meet people and make friends.
If any of this resonates with you, reach out to schedule a no-cost phone or Zoom call. I look forward to hearing from you.