Earlier this week I talked about prioritizing training, and today I am taking it one step further to focus on the mental health benefits of keeping active.
I haven’t made a post about my mental health in awhile, so here we go!
Over the years I have struggled with mental health.
I remember the first time I told one of my doctors about what I was experiencing, and as soon as I mentioned the word “focus”, she instantly prescribed me Adderall.
Fast forward several years, I saw a new doctor and explained what I was experiencing. As soon as I mentioned “seasonal depression” and “panic attack tendencies”, he instantly prescribed me Zoloft.
Fast forward 10 days after being prescribed Zoloft, I was absolutely manic and had no idea what was going on.
Well, turns out I never had ADHD, depression, or anxiety… I have bipolar disorder… and each of those quick diagnoses and medications were a recipe for disaster.
To make a long story short, for YEARS I was prescribed medication that didn’t fit the bill and had the absolute opposite reaction of what it was supposed to do.
Looking back from where I am now – I don’t recognize who I was during those stages of life.
I am fortunate enough to be in a very stable place mentally after years of an endless rollercoaster, and am thankful to have found the right balance of medication that is suited for BP.
Aside from that, I owe most of my overall health to keeping active along the way, soaking in the benefits outlined on the above photo.
Simply moving my body made my dark days a bit brighter, and helped eliminate thoughts that clouded my mind and judgement.
Movement was and still is a release.
Movement is its own form of medicine.
I share this today to help give hope to those who are struggling. There are many in my community who need the encouragement- I aim to be part of the support they need.