Stuart writes about the importance of exercise in tackling mental health problems
18 January
PEACE OF MIND
Mental Health First-Aid instructor Stuart Skinner, who suffers from bipolar disorder, tackles the mental health benefits of walking.
As I paused for a drink in the sweltering heat, sweat poured from
my brow, my heart thumped, my chest heaved and my body was alert with adrenaline with the hot sun beating down upon my face. I was in my element in the elements having tackled the notoriously strenuous 13.6-mile ‘rollercoaster’ section of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. I felt invigorated, euphoric and positive about life; I felt truly alive and I savoured the sensation. This was a far cry from the days I lay catatonic on the couch, limp and lifeless, curtains shut, feeling nothing but numbness and emptiness inside.
Mental illness often manifests itself in physical symptoms. Depression can be characterised by lethargy, emptiness, sleeping too much or too little, unexplained aches and pains. People suffering with anxiety may suffer from shortness of breath, palpitations, difficulty in concentrating and headaches. A combination of these two is the most common mental health problem in Britain with almost 9% of the population meeting the criteria for diagnosis.
Mental health isn’t simply the absence of illness, but also to feel positive about life; being able to handle life’s stresses and problems and lead a fulfilling, rewarding life. Cardiologist Paul Dudley White once proclaimed that a vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the World. I know that there is nothing like a good brisk walk to help kick-start my body, sharpen my series, calm my mind and put a smile on my face. Walking is the most accessible form of self-help there is. An active body leads to an active, healthy mind. The trick is to start gently, little and often and really stretch your legs when you can.
Stuart runs Mental Health First-Aid courses through his Community Interest Company, Equimind, covering the causes, symptoms and treatments for mental health problems. For info go to www.equimind.org
