Laura Henshaw: Can exercise elevate your mood?

ARTICLE

09 January 2022

3 min read

Physical exercise does wonders for your mental health, plus it has the understated ability to turn your frown upside down. But there’s a catch, as AIA Vitality Ambassador Laura Henshaw explains.

ETrigger warning: This article references disordered eating and diet behaviour.

Exercise is an essential element of our mental and physical health and plays a crucial role in our emotional wellbeing¹.

But exercise isn’t a silver bullet – it's not as simple as going for a run and feeling on top of the world after you’re done. It’s important to maintain a balanced lifestyle to experience these benefits – and when you do, you’ll feel incredible.

Take me, for example. When I was modelling overseas early in my career, I used to have a toxic relationship with my diet and exercise. I was so consumed with worrying about what I was eating I couldn’t enjoy food with my friends and family, and my mental health suffered. On top of that, I was excessively exercising and using it as a form of punishment, rather than something positive for my body. This took all the joy out of it, and I couldn’t experience any beneficial effects because I was pushing too hard.

As a result, it took a toll on my health. I was constantly hungry and tired, and I looked pale. It took me years to break out of these dangerous habits and form new, positive ones – and my body has thanked me ever since.

Exercise makes you feel alive

When we exercise, our body produces endorphins, the ‘feel-good’ hormone that acts as natural pain and stress relievers². I love getting that rush during a morning workout – I feel energised and strong, and I’m ready to take on whatever’s coming my way. Since I exercise in the morning, I bring those inspiring feelings to work, and it’s a fantastic feeling to start each day on a high note.

Moving my body also gives me clarity, especially if I’m exercising outside. Getting fresh air in the morning wakes me up, clears my mind and makes me feel alive. Even if I just finish a short stretching session, that morning time makes a huge positive impact on the rest of my day.

All or Something

Whether you prefer a morning run or an evening HIIT class, they’re all great ways to earn yourself up to 100 AIA Vitality Points that count toward your weekly Active Benefit (up to 15,000 points per membership year).

All: Go for a morning run around the block.

Something: Finish a quick stretching session at home.

Our physical health plays a huge part in our holistic wellbeing. Even if you dial down the intensity of your workout, any effort you make still counts towards a healthier you. Remember, All or Something!

Find the workout that works for you

Exercise is important, but listening to your body is equally vital in maintaining your overall wellbeing. If you’re feeling tired, it’s completely fine to take a break or to lower the intensity of your workout.

I used to believe that I always needed to sweat and have an intense workout for it to ‘count’, but that amount of stress coupled with the pressures of life was often detrimental to my health. Sometimes, the best thing I need in a day is a simple yoga session or a 20-minute Keep It Cleaner Pilates class at home on the floor. And if I’m really not feeling motivated, I try to stick to a five-minute gentle workout. After five minutes, I’ll understand what my body needs at that moment, and I’ll adjust my exercise to suit.

Again, make it a point to listen to your body. If you’re starting a workout exhausted, a high-intensity workout will simply tire you out more. Choose the exercise that works best for your situation, and don’t ever feel pressured to dial it up if your body isn’t up to it.

Move for the right reasons

It’s important to exercise with the right mentality. If you’re exercising to look like someone you follow on social media, or if you’re exercising as a form of self-punishment, it might be a good idea to change your perspective.

We’re not defined by how we physically look, and we’re certainly not defined by a number on a scale. Our worth has absolutely nothing to do with either of these things. When we exercise, we should aim to feel good and experience the myriad of physical, mental and emotional benefits from it.

I haven’t always had a healthy relationship with exercise, but I’m so grateful to now be at a place where I move for how it makes me feel – it’s been life-changing, and I hope you experience the benefits for yourself too.

Footnotes

¹ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/exercise-and-mental-health
² https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/food-and-nutrition/about/eating-well#:~:text=The%205%20food%20groups&text=vegetables%20and%20legumes%20or%20beans,to%203%20serves%20a%20day

Laura Henshaw

Laura Henshaw is a student, entrepreneur and model with a keen focus on mental and physical wellbeing. She co-founded Keep It Cleaner, an online health and fitness program, and will soon publish a book designed to encourage young women to live their best lives. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

Disclaimer:
This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

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offers ways to improve it and motivates you with rewards along the way.

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