Move Your Body, Move Your Mood.

Studies have found that people going through divorce or contemplating divorce are much more likely to suffer from depression. Divorce is the second most stressful experience you can go through in your life, second only to the death of a loved one, so it’s not surprising that mental health issues can result.

The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week in 2024 is movement. Movement is a powerful tool that can be used to support your mental health on an ongoing basis but especially when you’re going through a divorce or breakup.

Moving your body literally shifts the emotions through your body. It gives you that feel-good high, from the release of endorphins and serotonin which help to improve your mood. It’s one of the biggest mood boosters.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself in a funk and gone to my exercise class and come away feeling more uplifted, positive and focused. And it was the same for me during my divorce. I used to drive to the gym in tears… have my personal training session… and leave feeling so much better. It’s such a powerful mood shifter.

Whether it’s a full-on high impact class, 15 minutes of gentle yoga, a dance in the kitchen, or a walk, in nature…. the key is to do something you enjoy. Movement shouldn’t be a chore… there’s something for everyone… and it should be fun.

If you’re not sure what it is for you, then set yourself a challenge of trying as many different activities as possible until you find the thing that lights you up and that you want to do regularly. Think about what you used to love doing as a child for more inspiration.

Exercise can also be a great way to meet new people and connect with them which is so important when you’re going through a breakup. So, think about the team activities you loved as a child, or activities you’ve always wanted to try… now’s the perfect time. Having friends to exercise with makes you much more likely to turn up and stick with it.

If you’re short of time and find yourself triggered by something, and your mood spiralling, simply get up from where you are and go into another room or the garden for a few minutes… change your environment. Have a quick energy burst such as doing 5-star jumps, 10 squats, or turn the music up and have a dance. You’ll notice a huge difference in how you feel.

These are the 4 things that have been a game changer for me in creating a consistent exercise habit:

1. Finding something I love and that's varied so I don't get bored.

2. Doing a group exercise class as I've realised I'm not motivated enough to exercise on my own and I enjoy the atmosphere of a group.

3. Putting the time in my diary every day as a non-negotiable.

4. Finding a class at lunchtime which works well with my diary and gets me away from my desk in the middle of the day.

Studies in Positive Psychology have shown that moving your body is one of the main ways for us to lead a flourishing and thriving life. Having a daily workout can give us four extra focused, productive hours in the day… and who doesn’t need that!

It prepares our brain to absorb information and take action, as well as enhancing our positive emotions and productivity. It also helps us to maintain our memory, perform at our peak and alleviates anxiety and depression which is so important when you’re going through a breakup.

Studies have shown that some of the benefits of moving your body are as follows:

✔️Higher levels of self-esteem

✔️Greater sense of wellbeing

✔️Improved brain function

✔️Lower levels of stress

✔️Better physical health especially reduced incidence of cancers, lower risk of diabetes, lower blood pressure and obesity

✔️Greater focus and mental clarity

‘Not exercising is the equivalent of taking depressants’ Tal Ben Shahar

If you know you don’t move your body enough, then commit to yourself that you’ll start today.

Just start… even if that’s 5 minutes of squats in your lounge or some stretches. Start small and gradually you’ll build momentum so that it becomes part of your daily routine and you’ll notice how much of a mood booster it is.


If you'd like more tips on how to support your mental health during your breakup then read my blog here:

https://www.sarah-woodward.com/blog/8-tips-to-support-your-mental-health-on-blue-monday-and-beyond