Running and Mental Health – Hypnotherapy in Ely and Newmarket

I’m delighted to have had the opportunity to write a guest post about my running and mental health. I mean, how could I pass up the chance to write about two of my favourite things!

Running and exercise have been an integral part of my life for many, many years. At the outset, running was a way for me to try and deal with my anxiety, overthinking and low self-esteem problems. After a day at work it gave me an escape from those unwanted thoughts and feelings. It was a chance to think things through or to think about nothing at all. And I always felt physically and mentally better afterwards.

These days, exercise and running are key aspects of my life because I enjoy them, they give me a sense of achievement and they help iron out any of the challenges in life that head my way. Exercise and running now help to keep me mentally healthy.

The awesome team over at Run My World (https://www.runmyworld.co.uk/) have recognised that lots of us get into running, or keep running, for our mental health. They organise virtual running challenges from 5km up to ultramarathons and, what is awesome, is that a percentage of profits from each challenge goes to various mental health challenges. It’s awesome to see someone raising mental health awareness, contributing to the mental health conversation, and giving something back from running that will benefit others who may be struggling. I’m super excited to take part in some of their challenges (and the bling is pretty tidy too!)

I was lucky enough to run a couple of their ‘in person’ running events before coronavirus did it’s thing. The 5km and 10km I did (back to back, what was I thinking!) were friendly, supportive and well organised, which is what you can expect from their virtual challenges too.

Head over to their site to learn more about them and to have a read of my own personal story about running and mental health:

Feeling a bit stuck? Read Dan’s inspiring story

I also took a few minutes out to record some thoughts about running and mental health, and how exercise has always been a part of my approach to getting and keeping good mental health. Click on the image to have a watch:

I’ve written many times before about the physical and mental health benefits of exercise, and the research to support it. Research has shown that exercise can help with depression and anxiety symptoms, and that running reduces your risk of certain health conditions. I’ve written about the research, and why you should get running here:

Ely Festive 5k 2019 and Why You Should Get Running For Your Mental Health

So whilst I hated (and I mean hated!) all exercise when I was younger, running and exercise came to be, for me, a vital way to get, and then keep, mentally healthy.

A huge thanks again to the folks at Run My World for letting me talk about my own mental health story and how running helped me. I’m now really looking forward to taking part in some of their virtual running challenges and helping raise some much needed funding for some great mental health charities.

To your health and happiness,

Dan Regan

Hypnotherapy in Ely & Newmarket

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