Exercise Saved Me: Why Fitness is My Secret Weapon.
Let’s talk about fitness. Most of us hit the gym or lace up our running shoes because we want to feel stronger, leaner, or just a little less like a potato. But here’s the thing no one tells you when you’re sweating through a set of burpees: physical fitness isn’t just about your body—it’s about your brain too.
For me, exercise didn’t just save my body—it saved my sanity. It became the cornerstone of my mental health journey, and honestly, I didn’t see that coming.
How Fitness Became My Mental Health Sidekick
A few years ago, I hit a major low point. I became a single mom, left an unhealthy relationship that had drained me emotionally, and found myself in a tough spot mentally. Let’s just say I wasn’t exactly the picture of mental stability. I didn’t feel strong, physically or emotionally.
But after a while, I realised I couldn’t stay stuck in that place. I needed a way out—and fitness became my escape.
When I say fitness saved me, I’m not exaggerating. I made the decision to start working out, not because I had some dream body in mind (spoiler: that wasn’t the goal) but because I wanted to feel strong enough to handle life, to not feel like a mess all the time.
The Truth About Anxiety and Fitness
My brain was constantly in overdrive—racing, overthinking, and reacting to every little thing. I used to think I could just power through it, like I could somehow will myself out of it. Spoiler alert: That didn’t work.
That’s when fitness became a game-changer for me, especially yoga. Now, I used to think yoga was a load of nonsense—just a bunch of people stretching and pretending to be trees. I mean, how could that help with anxiety, right? But after a few YouTube classes, I realised yoga’s secret power: it forces you to slow down, breathe, and check in with yourself. For someone whose brain is always in "go mode," it turned out to be exactly what I needed to calm the chaos. Who knew?
Sleep, Nutrition, and Keeping It All Together
Fitness doesn’t work in a vacuum. It’s not just about workouts—it’s about creating balance in other parts of your life too.
Sleep: Sleep was always something I took for granted, but I quickly realised that if I wasn’t getting enough rest, everything went south. Anxiety hit harder, and workouts felt impossible. So now, I make sleep a priority, and let me tell you, it’s made a world of difference.
Food: I used to turn to junk food or sugar whenever I was stressed, thinking it would give me a quick boost. But all it did was leave me feeling worse—more anxious, more irritable, and sluggish. I started focusing on eating whole, nutritious foods that fueled both my body and mind. Not only did I feel better, but I also had more energy to face the day.
Fitness Isn’t a Cure-All—But It’s Damn Close
Let’s get something straight: fitness didn’t fix my problems. It didn’t magically make my anxiety disappear or solve every emotional issue I had. But what it did do was give me a toolkit to cope with life’s challenges. It gave me structure, routine, and a way to release all the stress that builds up.
Exercise taught me that I’m capable of more than I give myself credit for—not just physically, but mentally too. And that’s a pretty powerful realisation.
The Bottom Line: Mental Health and Fitness Are Inextricably Linked
If you’re struggling, know that you don’t have to figure it all out at once. Start small. Maybe you go for a walk instead of sitting on the couch all night. Maybe you add a few minutes of stretching or take a yoga class. Whatever it is, just move.
I can’t promise that fitness will solve everything, but I can promise that it’ll give you the strength to handle whatever life throws your way. And that’s a pretty good place to start.
Fitness isn’t just about looking good—it’s about feeling good too. It’s a way of taking care of yourself, not just your body but your mind. And if you’re wondering whether exercise can help with anxiety, stress, or just life in general… trust me, it can.
So, let’s be real: get moving. It’s not just for the abs—it’s for your brain too.
