Work it Out

Last week, Kierra shared that "It's Ok To Not Be Ok." There are going to be days when you don't feel your best. There will be days when you can't seem to find the good in a situation no matter how hard you try. Those days will come, and those days will go.

But when they do come, it's necessary to know how to cope with them. It's essential to understand what you need during darker days to help you feel a little better. For some, it may be talking to a therapist, fresh air, surrounding yourself with family and friends, or exercising.

I love all of the above but exercise is my go-to. Exercising is not only my form of self-care but my therapy. It's one hour a day that I get to focus on my mental, emotional and physical well-being. It's my opportunity to tune the world out, turn up the volume in my headphones and release all tension, worry, and anxiety from my body.

Exercise is also how I motivate and challenge myself to do hard things like lift heavier, run a little longer, and tap into capabilities that I didn't know existed. I also love the health benefits of exercising, such as reducing stress, boosting energy levels, reducing inflammation, improving sleep and memory retention.

There isn't a one-size-fits-all coping mechanism for your mental health. The goal is to find what works best for you, but I will say that I've never regretted a workout.. If you haven’t already, I strongly encourage you to move your body a little more during those hard and dark days. I know it can be difficult to find motivation, but I promise you that will feel 10x better.