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Treadmill Therapy: Tips for Using Exercise as an Outlet
When you think about therapy, you might think about heading to a counseling session with a professional. And while it’s certainly recommended that you do so, you should know that there are things that you can do for your own mental health as well. Life is hard after trauma, whether physical or sexual. Especially since, according to Lane & Lane, some of the most common sexual abusers can be family, friends, spouses, and partners. Thus, taking a comprehensive approach to recovery is going to be super critical.
That’s where exercise comes in. Know for helping you look good and feel good (it’s those endorphins), and being an excellent outlet for stress and depression, you should think of implementing exercise in your routine. Whether it’s something as easy as hitting the treadmill, or something more complicated like dance, here’s a few tips on integrating exercise as a therapy in your life.
Talk to Your Doctor
First of all, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting up any fitness routine. Your doctor can help you ensure that you are healthy enough to tackle the exercise that you are planning on doing and can provide suggestions. He or she can also provide you with guidance on other things that can help with your mental health, such as seeking specific therapists or treatments. Then, you can help ensure that you have the most well-rounded treatment experience.
Keep it Interesting
One good thing about exercising as an outlet is the fact that it can help you keep your mind off of your stress, depression or trauma, at least for a little while. If your workouts are boring, however, they might not do the trick. Switching things up, challenging yourself and exercising in ways that you find fun can help.
Find Out What Works for You
Another thing that you should do is focus on finding the exercises that work best for you. Some people love working out indoors on a treadmill or other piece of indoor workout equipment since it allows them to enjoy the air conditioning or heat and watch television. Others prefer getting outside and exercising in scenic places or doing something a bit unique like a martial art. What works for someone else might not work for you, so if you want to find the workout option that works best for helping you, consider trying a few things. After all, it might take a little bit of trial and error before you figure out your ideal option.
If you’ve been having a hard time with life, it’s time to start implementing some sort of exercise in your life. If you follow these tips, then you might be surprised by how much of a positive impact it can have on your recovery.
