Push to start

image credit - Pinterest

Getting started is always the hardest part.

At the beginning of every New Year, I normally set myself some sort of resolution to complete but this time around I wanted to set some clearer goals instead and try and achieve one of them within the first month of 2022. To kick-start my career in health and fitness I’m challenging myself to run 50km (roughly 31 miles) throughout the whole month of January whilst raising money for a mental health charity.

Mind is a charity working to support people through the current mental health crisis and help to remove the stigma surrounding speaking openly about it. Every year, 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem in some shape or form and suicide is the greatest cause of death amongst men under the age of 35. Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They also campaign to improve current mental health services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

There are several different ways to combat the emotions, thoughts and feelings that come with having a mental health problem. Specifically for myself exercise has always been my number one coping mechanism, especially running.

Endorphins and serotonin are released into the body when you run; these chemicals can help improve your mood, as well as your memory and ability to learn. It also improves aerobic fitness and overall cardiovascular health and can be beneficial for maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.  

I hope to raise a total of £500 for Mind. If you would like to donate, no matter how small the donation please follow the link.

Without the support of this charity and its network of volunteers, many people would feel alone and struggle to continue pushing on. For anyone who feels they could benefit from the resources Mind offers, I will insert the link for their website here.