Reading 8 Keys to Mental Health Through Exercise can help you get motivated, build self-esteem, and heal your mind and body.
I was recently given a copy of 8 Keys to Mental Health Through Exercise by Christina Hibbert. I was immediately excited to see it’s full of reflection questions, writing prompts, and action items. I’m a real self-help book junkie. I love to learn and improve myself. And I’m always on the lookout for good resources for my clients.
8 Keys to Mental Health Through Exercise isn’t a weight loss book or a how-to exercise book. Dr. Hibbert explains, with research to back it up, why exercise is such an important piece of mental health care. Exercise is free, accessible, holds no stigma, has no long term side-effects, and works beautifully in addition to other mental health treatments. And a great bonus: exercise can be fun!
You’re, of course, already aware of the tremendous physical benefits of exercise and you’ve likely heard (or experienced) how exercise can decrease stress and anxiety and improve mood. As a therapist, I’m a big proponent of exercise for its positive effects on mood. I frequently talk to my clients about the positive effect of exercise on the body and mind. But even when you know all the positives, you don’t always fully utilize exercise as a way to get or stay mentally well. This is why 8 Keys to Mental Health Through Exercise is such a useful tool.
Build self-esteem.
One reason you don’t exercise may be that on some level you don’t feel you’re worth the effort. Low self-worth can be a big barrier to exercise. No one wants to head to the gym when they’re feeling fat, ugly, or shame-filled. Dr. Hibbert has a great model that she calls the Pyramid of Self-Worth. It moves you through the layers of self-awareness, self-acceptance, self-love, and finally to self-worth. It’s such a helpful model and reflects the clinical work that I do in helping you all understand yourselves, embrace both your strengths and imperfections, and increase your self-love and self-worth.
Sometimes it’s hard to get motivated.
Some days, I’m just not motivated to exercise and I hear from clients that they also struggle with motivation. I was so happy to see that key #4 is motivation. 8 Keys to Mental Health Through Exercise will help you understand the psychology of motivation, set attainable goals, and most importantly understand your personal reasons for incorporating exercise into your recovery activities.
Plan for the inevitable obstacles.
How many times have you said: “I don’t have time to exercise”? I certainly know how easy it is to use this excuse! Dr. Hibbert walks you through this and many other road blocks (like fatigue, boredom, body image issues, fear of failure) to exercise with a step by step problem solving approach that will help you change your negative thoughts and create a plan that works for you.
8 Keys to Mental Health Through Exercise is written in an easy, approachable style. You don’t need to an athlete or have huge exercise goals. It’s great for those of us who want to experience more of the benefits of exercise, but need a bit of help creating a plan and overcoming the mental blocks to doing so. And as I mentioned, the activities in the book are very helpful. In my opinion, reading about something is a great start, but lasting change is going to also take planning and action.
The book can be purchased on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers.
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I just started reading this book. I was drawn to the title. I recently started an exercise programs of working out 30 minutes/day, 7 days a week. I didn’t think I could do it, but I realized how much better I feel. I have more energy and a clearer mind. I smile more easily and more aware of the world around me. I remember when my panic disorder was out of control because I had no name for it and no one knew how to help (including those the medical field), I instinctively stared walking every day, especially when I knew I had “to be on” that day. For me, my body, mind and spirit needs to work to work together for me to be my whole, effective self. Thank you for recommending this book Sharon.
I’m so glad you like it. I’ve gotten to know the author and she is such an inspiring, wise, and kind person. I think it’s a really helpful topic for all of us.