Divorce and depression go hand in hand
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. Moving your body is one of the most powerful tools for emotional recovery
Movement: The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2024
This year’s theme is a powerful one – movement. And it couldn’t be more relevant for those navigating the emotional challenges of separation. Moving your body can be a game changer for your mood and mental health.
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.
Movement helps to shift emotions
When you move, you literally shift emotions through your body. Movement helps release endorphins and serotonin — the feel-good chemicals that lift your mood naturally. 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 lighter, stronger and more focused. It’s such a powerful mood shifter.
It doesn’t have to be intense
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. The key is consistency, not intensity.
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. The right fit will make it easier to build a habit.
Why movement isn’t just about fitness – it’s about connection
Exercise is also a great way to meet new people, especially after divorce. Group classes or team activities can help you reconnect socially while boosting your emotional resilience. Plus, having a workout buddy makes you far more likely to stick with it.
Quick Mood Shifters
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.
You don’t need an hour at the gym to reset your mood. Try a quick energy burst such as:
5 star jumps
10 squats
Dancing to a favourite song
Stepping outside for fresh air
Any shift in your environment and movement can help interrupt spiralling thoughts.
My 4 go-to habits for making exercise part of daily life
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.
The science behind it
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. Exercise isn’t just about your body. Research shows it improves focus, memory, productivity and mental health. Some studies show it can give you up to four more focused hours a day – exactly what you need when you’re dealing with the practical and emotional demands of a divorce.
Proven benefits of moving your body
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
To summarise
If you know you’re not moving your body enough, make a promise to yourself that today is the day you begin. Start small. Start today. Even five minutes counts. It doesn’t have to be perfect – you just have to start. 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’re feeling low, stuck, or overwhelmed by your breakup, movement is a powerful first step – and coaching can be your next.
Book your free clarity call to find out how coaching can support your emotional recovery and help you build powerful daily habits that get you back to feeling like you again.
