An explanation as to why doing hours worth of exercise is so beneficial for mental health

Hey everyone! I know it's been a few months gone now since my last post on here. This was partly because I have been keeping myself occupied with work.

However, a more larger reason was because that I have been feeling increasingly overwhelmed over the past month, and I just haven't had the energy to make any posts on here. Both to do with life in general & work related stress.

Since all of that has been sorted, I'm feeling in a much better place to be back blogging again.

As the above title states, I have also been taking time out by spending a lot of time doing hours worth of exercise each day. The main reason for this, is actually because I'll be taking on an epic challenge for 3 days (starting from the 18th & finishing on the 21st of June). Hence, I've been spending every free bit of time during the day to exercise/train as much as possible for this upcoming challenge. I also like to think that the other reason for me doing all of this exercise is positively impacting my mental health too after all the stress I've been dealing with.

*The above picture was taken from one of my training sessions on top of Colley Hill, Surrey*

Going back a few years ago, I have made some posts talking about why exercising everyday is so beneficial for maintaining good mental health. And because I too, suffer with mental health issues time & time again over the years, I have found out for myself that exercising everyday really helps me to feel better, as well as clear my mind of negative stuff. 

Although, in my case, I love nothing more than go out walking for hours on end. I enjoy taking in the surroundings of nature, buildings & views when I walk past a viewing point on a hilltop. I also enjoy doing loop routes, country routes & long pavement routes from one location to another. I just love walking so much, that I can't help but do it everyday for not only to keep myself in good shape, but to gain positive energy!

In terms of this challenge, I'll be taking on the 3 Peaks Challenge with around 20 other people, in aid of the YMCA East Surrey. It involves climbing up the 3 biggest peaks in the UK: Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike & Snowden. Due to the intensity of this challenge, I had to increase the amount of hours I go out walking for. Not that I'm complaining though!

In all seriousness, going out exercising for even just an hour can make your mental health a whole lot better, as it just processes the surroundings of where you are walking, and erases everything else trapped in it. Since beginning my 3 Peaks training, I have grown a liking to walking through the countryside. And even spending just an hour walking in the countryside, being surrounding by nothing but nature & stunning views, can make your mental health feel a whole lot lighter. 

So for those who are constantly feeling on edge all of the time, and want to find a way to make that feeling disappear - Get out exercising!

 

*I began this post during the late hours of the 15/6, but actually got published during the early hours of the 16/6*  

My psychology on The Backyardigans

A week ago, I thought about feeding my nostalgia by watching a kids TV show I used to adore - The Backyardigans.

After watching it, I realized that it was purposely created to encourage children and their friends to develop and use their imagination, as well as to go out and 'play with your imagination.' As a former fan of this programme, I can 100% empathise with the logic used in the making of this programme and can totally relate to my said statement above - "Play with your imagination" Let me go into more detail about that quote...

When I was a child, I really thrived on using my imagination and I've always spent a large portion of each day trying to find more ways to expand it. (I can think of loads of other cartoons to use as an example related to this, but I'll save that for another post)  *This is where this programme comes into play* The characters in this programme first showcase their adventures by playing in their backyard in their neighbourhood; For example - Going on a mission to Mars. They then imagine themselves going to that very place with about 1 or 2 other characters to begin with. During the adventure, the other characters will pop up as either the bad guy(s), a land owner or even an animal - To be against or help out with the main characters involved.

But the one aspect which really stood out in this programme, is that they performed their own musicals in every episode, which seems to inform the watchers what is happening in the moment, as well as what are they going to do next. Of course, it can't be a musical without a bit of comedy involved! This helps to liven up the storyline in relations with how the aimed characters are going to react... It could either turn out good, bad or ugly - Get it?!

Obviously, there HAS to be a happy ending at the end of every episode of a kids TV programme, so the characters cheer, (whilst reflecting on their adventure) then one of the characters' stomach rumbles, one of the characters asks: "Is that your stomach rumbling? Are you hungry?" The hungry character reply's with: "Yeah, lets go back to my house for some cheese toasties!" I like how the creators use this realistic ending, as going on a long haul adventure makes you hungry, right? Therefore, this could influence children to do the EXACT same thing after they come back from their own little adventure with their friends to make the day more fun. I know I used to do this with my friends after we've played our little adventure as well. Anyway, the characters end the episode by performing another musical by reflecting on their whole adventure, with the song also telling them to stay tuned for the next episode.

So, that brings an end to my thoughts on one of my childhood shows, hope you enjoyed reading and feel free to let me know what you think!