Regular physical activity is proven to improve mental health, quality of life, and wellbeing. It can also help improve your liver health and reduce the risk of developing metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, also known as NAFLD), as well as other serious conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory diseases.
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is “Movement: moving more for your mental health”, so we’re taking the opportunity to share some quick movement and mental health tips and point to some great resources.
Moving in a way that works for you
Moving can be fun! But we don’t all enjoy the same things. If you’ve tried exercises that you just don’t get along with, don’t worry – there is always something else to try. Read more about physical activity and exercise here, including detailed tips and activity ideas.
If you have limited mobility we know it can be frustrating to be told about the benefits of getting active, it can also be demoralising to adjust to not being able to do things that you could before.
However, there are many ways to be active that can work for people with less mobility, including some things that people often don’t realise “count”. These include low-impact standing and seated exercises and stretches, and many other things that can be done in the home. We Are Undefeatable have excellent tips and resources to keep active while managing a health condition.
Set your own goals
Setting goals for what you want to achieve can help to motivate you. The trick is to keep goals achievable and work towards them in stages. Start your journey to becoming more active slowly and build it over time. Walking or seated exercise is a great place to start. Make a start by doing what you can.
Remember that this is about your own wellbeing, it’s not a competition. So try not to compare what you are doing with what other people are doing – we’re all different!
Finding the time
It can be challenging to find the time to fit in exercise, but you don’t necessarily have to carve out dedicated time. If your schedule is busy, you can fit in small sessions of movement throughout the day; you could do some stretches while the kettle boils, or chair exercises at your desk to take a break from working. Movement doesn’t always have to be an “event” that needs placing in a schedule, instead you can slowly build good habits during times when you would otherwise be waiting around.
Looking after your mental health
Being active is one great way to help support your mental health, but living with a liver disease, or caring for someone who is, can be hard. Sometimes it is okay not to be okay, whatever you are feeling we have more tips to help you look after your mental health here.
Remember, we are here for you. From our nurse helpline to our virtual support groups, you can find support that works for you here.
