Rachel - Body Engaged

Mental Health & Social Media

I tend to be quite open about my own mental health. I think it is important that we all keep an eye on our own as it can fluctuate throughout the year and throughout our lives. This time of year in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in those areas that experience short day light hours, we are more likely to experience low mood.

In December I realised my mental health had taken a dip. To be honest it took a lot to admit that things were not good. Nonetheless, it was the case and I was fortunate enough to be able to recognise it and realise that I needed to do something about it.

One of the things I did seemed to have a bigger impact on my wellbeing than I had anticipated was deleting all social media apps off my phone, which I did prior to Christmas. I had noticed that as my mood had deteriorated that the amount of time I spent on social media had increased. I was reading toxic comments sections or doom scrolling. Although it didn't create my depression it didn't help. Also my automatic response to notifications on my phone meant I was not particularly present in conversations and real life around me (so I limited those too).

Now don't get me wrong, "leaving" social media has not been a cure all for my mood I am doing many other things to improve that, but it has definitely given me headspace and time. I am still quite clearly on social media for work purposes, but I have made it harder to access (apologies if it takes me longer to respond).

So far it has meant that I have made more time for doing things that are better for my health, like exercising, going outside, cooking, focusing on other aspects of my business and studying.

Hopefully you haven't reached this point with social media (maybe you haven't noticed). However, if you are feeling low and your time on socials is out of hand or contributing to your mood, then try take a break. See how you feel after a week and take it from there. Personally I won't be adding them back.

If you are struggling with your mental health see the link in my bio with links to services.

Habits:
Did you know that it is estimated that on average it takes 66 days to form a new habit. Some believe in a 21/90 rule. Where the habit starts to set in by day 21 and then if continued for another 90 days it will have become a habit.

In reality timing varies vastly and it will depend on you as an individual and also on how much you enjoy the particular thing you are trying to make a habit or whether you begin to enjoy it along the way.

What can help you stick to your habit:
* I find adding my habit to my list of tasks or diarising it helps me to get it done. Writing it down solidifies it in my mind and I love ticking something off a daily list (even if I had already done it before I wrote it).
* For some habits such as fitness routines it helps to have a buddy or join a class/club to help you enjoy it more.
* Correctly framing your reasoning for introducing a habit can also lead to better results, try not to think about what you are missing out on to introduce the habit, but the benefits it will bring you in the future
* If you miss one day, try not to let it take you off track. Acknowledge it and just go again the next day. Depending on where you are at in your journey it may be starting to form your habit again, but if you are trying to form healthy habits for life it really doesn't matter how long it takes the habit to form as long as you keep striving towards it.

Here's to healthy long term habits that see you living a strong. healthy life into the future!

Happy 2023!!

# change

Why Am I a PT? 

Why are you a PT must be one of the more common questions I get, so let me tell you. 

Short answer: it’s a job that lets me guide people as they find confidence in their abilities and achieve goals they’ve set or (even better) things they always thought they’d never be able to. 

Long answer: I’ve had a fairly tumultuous relationship with fitness and body image.  Past Rachel wouldn’t believe it, but I’ve discovered that fitness doesn’t have to be a punishment or a chore. 

My own fitness journey has helped make me feel more confident in both myself and my abilities – not to mention the long list of benefits fitness bestows; ask your medical professional what weightlifting can do for bone density.  As a PT I get to share that with others, I get to help people find what kind of fitness suits them (maybe it’s running, but equally maybe it’s dancing or weightlifting).  I am their guide in trying something they’re hesitant about, their reference in safe and effective technique or someone to check back in with when it’s time to move their program forward.   

And that’s the best job I can think of! 

I can’t be anyone’s clock though, I’m too busy watching and guiding to count, but counting is surely the least important thing a PT needs to do. 

Did you know: I run programmed small group classes that give you all the benefits of PT programming and guidance at 1/10 the price.  DM if you’d like to know more. 



Photography
Model/Client

[Image Description: Rachel and a client training on trx outdoors]

Happy 🌎 Earth Day!

Get outside into nature. Go for a walk and just take it in.

🌿