Some people might think there is a disconnect between physical and mental health but that’s not true. Health can be affected by socio-economic, cultural and environmental conditions, lifestyle and hereditary factors. Experiencing physical health problems can increase the risk of developing poor mental health and vice versa. For example, an injury might increase the risk of depression which can cause chronic fatigue, insomnia and increased sensitivity to aches and pains. Neglecting your mental health can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and a weakened immune system for instances.
There has been a rise in running as a form of exercise and ways to make commuting via walking and cycling easier are being invested. Running has well known health benefits such as improved mood, build strong bones, strengthen muscles, improve cardiovascular fitness and help maintain weight / weight loss. Increasing commuting via walking and cycling has individual physical and mental benefits but also helps with climate change and air pollution.
There are risks of injury with physical activity and exercise. Function360 can help you with injury prevention and complete recovery. Although the clinic is temporarily closed, you can book a virtual appointment for physiotherapy and osteopathy, check out our Instagram, read our journals and/or sign up to our next webinar.
If you’re currently struggling, please talk to someone. Whether it is a friend, relative, colleague, GP, or Mental Health practitioner, reach out. Here are a few websites and helplines you might find helpful:
- Mental Health Foundation: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
- Time to change: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/
- Rethink Mental Illness: https://www.rethink.org/ ; 0300 5000 927 (charged at your local rate)
- Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/ ; [email protected] ; 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, charges from mobile phones vary)
- Samaritans: www.samaritans.org.uk ; 116 123 - free 24-hour helpline
- Sane: www.sane.org.uk/support ; 0300 304 7000 (daily, 4.30pm to 10.30pm)
- YoungMinds: www.youngminds.org.uk ; Parents’ helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
