Everybody knows that exercise is good for your body—but the mental health benefits it can provide, especially during divorce, might surprise you. Exercise activates brain chemicals that are associated with an upbeat mood and relaxation (two things you really need during divorce).
Exercise can help you clear your mind before you meet with your Raleigh divorce lawyer to hammer out the details on property division, figure out child custody, and handle other important aspects of your case, too. When you’re thinking clearly, you’ll be better-equipped to make decisions that will affect your whole family.
Why Don’t People Exercise during Divorce?
The reality is that it can be difficult to make the time to exercise during divorce. There are meetings with your Raleigh divorce lawyer, kids to pick up and drop off, work, household chores… the list seems endless.
The good news? You can grab a few of the mental health benefits exercise offers in quick, 15-minute workouts. Of course, you’ll need to talk to your doctor before you start any exercise program, and you need to know that 15 minutes is not a magic bullet for improving mental or physical health. It is important to supplement any dietary or exercise changes with help from medical and mental health professionals.
You Don’t Have to Join a Gym
It’s a common misperception that getting fit has to be a big ordeal. It doesn’t. You can start small, with brisk walks or light runs around your neighborhood, a few trips up and down your stairs or by knocking out a few sit-ups and pushups in your living room. It is inadvisable to work out more than five or six days a week; remember, your body needs a break now and then to recuperate.
A 15-Minutes-a-Day Workout Plan
Always start with exercise-appropriate stretches and a warm-up; you’ll help prevent injuries that way. Once that’s done, get ready for some light-duty exercise that packs heavy-duty benefits:
- Jumping Jacks get your heart pumping for an all-over workout.
- Pushups strengthen your chest, arms, stomach and more when you do them properly.
- Sit-ups help tone your stomach and strengthen your hip flexors.
- Squats toughen up your legs and buttocks when you do them properly.
- Walking, jogging and running improve your heart’s performance and strengthen muscles all over your body—and so do swimming and jumping rope. That being said, be careful as some of these exercises are high impact and can be problematic for you knees and other joints. There are other, low impact exercise options with similar effect.
Bonus Exercises (that Don’t Feel Like Exercise)
You can enjoy the benefits of mini-workouts anywhere you go. You’ve probably heard that you should take the stairs instead of the elevator, choose the farthest parking spot, and walk your dog whenever you can. However, you can also take a dance class, ride your bike through the Greenway Trail System, or take up yoga. Partner up with a friend and you won’t even realize you’re earning the mental health benefits that regular exercise can provide.
