Quarantine has severely effected us all. There is no doubt about that. Some have stepped up and taken this time to reflect and grow, others have taken the new found free time to acquire a new skill to utilize once normal life resumes. Others have not taken this liberty with their time. Lack of movement, mental/physical stimulation and social interaction can have some long lasting effects. There have lots of talks on Mental Health, but are you listening?
Five Warning Signs of Mental Illness
- Long-lasting sadness or irritability.
- Extremely high and low moods.
- Excessive fear, worry, or anxiety.
- Social withdrawal.
- Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits.
One very effective tool to help prevent and recover from poor mental health is exercise. Your body releases stress-relieving and mood-boosting endorphins before and after you work out, which is why exercise is a powerful antidote to stress, anxiety, and depression. Look for small ways to add activity to your day, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or skating to the store instead of driving. To get the most benefit, aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. Exposure to sunlight also helps your body produce vitamin D, which increases your level of serotonin in the brain. As skateboarders, we have a unique tool at our disposal, the world is our gym. All we need is out board and some concrete!
Make sure your are checking in on yourself daily to prevent your mental health from diminishing. Don't forget to check on the homies as well. Make sure everyone is getting in on the sesh! Be proactive and GO SKATE!
