I fell in love with running in my 20’s. At that time, I was an exchange student in South Africa and wanted to lose weight. It wasn’t long before I discovered running’s powerful positive effects on my mental health. My relationship with my body changed from self-criticism and fault finding to one of thankfulness and …
When I started blogging about running this year, the voice in my head was my biggest enemy. It was constantly nagging, trying to convince me that I was not good enough to be writing about running. This voice told me that I am not a good writer, that I don’t know enough about running, and …
It is 07:00 o clock on a Saturday morning. You scramble around at the starting area of your race, and you feel sick to your stomach. Doubts fill your mind: “Gosh, I am such an idiot. I shouldn’t be here. Look at these athletes. They look so much fitter and stronger than me. What if …
Dear Running, When we first met in South Africa in 2006, I couldn’t fathom how much you’d impact my life in the years to come. We had a rough start. Our first dates didn’t go well. In fact, I downright hated you. I hated how you gave me a racing heart and a head so …
Social anxiety has been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember. As I have written about here, I grew up with an intense fear of people. However, step by step, I learned how to manage anxiety and social anxiety. Especially my years at university were a period of immense personal …
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Ever since I discovered firsthand the powerful effects of running on mental health, I am continually looking for new research to confirm my experience. That running can be a powerful tool for treating mental health disorders. In 2018 Scott Douglass wrote the book “Running Is My Therapy.” It combines research and personal anecdotes to describe …
It has been well established that mental and physical health are closely linked together and significantly influence each other. Around 2600 years ago, the Indian philosopher and spiritual teacher Gautama Buddha stated: “To keep the body in good health is a duty. Otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear”. …
Let’s be honest. You know that a regular fitness routine would ease your social anxiety. You read about it in self-help books and on the internet. Your therapist recommended you join an exercise class at your local gym. You think you should give it a try. There is just one problem. The mere thought of …
4 Ways To Start A Fitness Routine When You Have Social Anxiety Read More »