It would take someone living in a cave for the last several decades to think saying ‘go exercise, it will help!’ is somehow revolutionary. We all know exercise helps. I have been reading about it for years, our gym instructors have told us, our doctors mention it delicately. All those endorphins, right?

But in lockdown going round the same block every day occasionally receiving a Paddington style ‘hard stare’, if caught near a view or bench too long, we begin to lose the will to keep going out.

So here are a few science based facts to keep you focused:
-    Exercise can cut mild to medium depression by a third, and it doesn’t need to be a heavy cardio work out. Any exercise! (NHS website)
-    "The link between exercise and mood is pretty strong," Michael Otto, PhD, a professor of psychology at Boston University says, "Usually within five minutes after moderate exercise you get a mood-enhancement effect."
-    "There's good epidemiological data to suggest that active people are less depressed than inactive people. And people who were active and stopped tend to be more depressed than those who maintain or initiate an exercise program," says James Blumenthal, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Duke University. If you are interested, Blumenthal goes on to show some really interesting research into long term depression and exercise but that’s not for today.
-    The simple act of focusing on exercise can give us a break from current concerns and damaging self-talk

So yes, the same block may be dull, doing the same indoor work out might have lost its sheen, trying to start the day with yoga when it’s new to you may drive you back under the duvet, but now is the time to stick with it. Only 5 minutes in and you start to feel better, that’s amazing bang for buck. So I’ll be up again early tomorrow and I will be hoping you carve some time out of your day and escape the four walls to get some exercise too. Or if it’s just too scary to go out, then find a new workout instructor and mix it up. ANYTHING is better than nothing. Good luck. Stay Safe.

As a note if it’s all getting too much then do call your GP. Or get in Alternatively Mind and the Samaritans offer a lot of very good advice.