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Mental Health Awareness Week

This year’s theme of Mental Health Awareness Week is all about Movement: Moving more for your mental health. During Mental Health Awareness Week we wanted to raise awareness and provide support for individuals dealing with various mental health challenges due to gambling. Gambling harm can result in financial difficulties, strained relationships, and heightened levels of stress and anxiety.

Engaging in Intentional movement and exercise can help release endorphins and relieve stress. This then allows us to take a break from everyday challenges and responsibilities and helps emotions move through our bodies, providing an outlet for self-expression.

Quote from Dr Helen Garr

"If physical activity was a pill, we would all be taking it. We know that physical activity plays a significant role in the prevention, management and treatment of many long-term conditions, including depression. Movement really is medicine!"

Benefits of exercise to help beat gambling harm

  • Ease withdrawal. Regular exercise can lessen anxiety, depression, and stress. These are common symptoms you might get during recovery that can lead to relapse.
  • Curb urges. Exercise can distract you from urges or make them less powerful.
  • Replace your triggers. A new exercise routine can give you something to do and build your social network. This might help you avoid people, places, or things that remind you of gambling.
  • Help you think clearly. Regular physical activity can help your mind work better. Your odds of relapse might go down when your thoughts are more stable. · Improve your sleep. Regular exercise might help you fall asleep faster and get better quality rest at night.
  • Boost your self-esteem and self-control. It’s easier to manage stressful stuff when you feel good about yourself.

Tips on how to exercise.

  • Any amount of physical activity is good for you, so do not worry if you need to start off easy.
  • The most important thing is to do something you enjoy, as you're more likely to keep doing it.
  • Adults should aim for about 30-60 minutes of moderate activity each week, which should include something for muscle strength. This could be anything from carrying shopping to lifting weights at home or at the gym – just make sure any weight you use is right for you.
  • Once you're regularly active try thinking about increasing the amount of activity you do remember that some is good, more is better.

Types of movement to engage in

  • Walking
  • Running
  • Swimming
  • Boxing
  • Hiking
  • Light gardening
  • Dancing
  • Water aerobics
 

Resources

Published: May 13, 2024