Online Fitness Trends – my thoughts.

November 8, 2025Leave a comment

You would expect me to support any form of exercise (within reason!) However, I have just come across some research by Confused.com which suggests that not all sources of exercise are equal in the benefits they bring.

It is becoming more widely recognised and promoted that looking after your body and mind is the best thing for your health and wellbeing… At least the message is getting across! But I believe that it is incumbent upon fitness professionals to advise anyone, whether they are new to exercising or are “old hands”, that there are many coaching options available – but not all are as effective or time/money efficient.

Research by Innova Market Insights tells us that in the UK approximately 64% of the population is
seeking out and following the latest trends in health and/or wellbeing, aided by a myriad of online sources. Their research also shows that the great British public is fairly sceptical about social media as a
medium of accurate information; questioning influencer-promoted and “viral” health trends in particular.

In addition, other research shows that almost 1/5 people in the UK who go online for their
fitness guidance wish they hadn’t. It appears that the unknown or dubious quality of the sources (TikTok; Instagram; Mix etc.) means that much of the advice is thought to be unqualified and untested.

I want to make it clear that I am not including online fitness apps or websites delivered by
professionally-qualified coaches in my analysis. As we acknowledge, there are many such
resources available which are of the highest quality with impeccable credentials and track records.
Let’s face it, for every “dissatisfied online customer” there are no doubt many more happy ones who believe they get all they need from their online fitness resource ( it is likely that
this refers to online classes through reputable websites).

Of course, the quality of health and fitness influencers on social media can vary significantly; while
some provide valuable advice and promote positive health behaviours, others may spread
misinformation or unrealistic body images, which can negatively impact mental health.
It’s important to critically evaluate the credibility and expertise of these influencers before following
their guidance.

Let’s look at the pros and cons of following social media and viral fitness trends.

Positive Aspects
Behaviour Change: Many followers of health influencers report increased physical activity
and healthier eating habits, such as consuming more fruits and vegetables.
Engagement: Influencers are often perceived as credible and relatable, which can enhance
their effectiveness in promoting health behaviours.
Negative Aspects
Mental Health Risks: Following health influencers can lead to increased anxiety and
depression among followers. This is particularly true for those who engage with content that
promotes unrealistic body images or the “fit ideal.”
Misinformation: Not all influencers have the necessary expertise. Many are fitness enthusiasts who share health advice without proper qualifications, which can lead to the spread of inaccurate or oversimplified
health messages.

Influencer Impact on :	Potential Positive Impact	Potential Negative Impact
Physical Activity	Increased exercise levels through readily accessible videos	Compulsive exercise behaviours through unregulated use and lack of guidance
Dietary Habits	improved diet through 1000s of meal ideas and online recipes	Potential for disordered eating through lack of understanding re nutrition, individual energy needs and celebrating extreme diets
Mental Health	Improved well-being for some through feeling empowered in the ‘comfort of their own home’	Increased anxiety and depression through lack of personalised, direct support
Body Image	Motivation to exercise – start seeing positive changes	Body dissatisfaction and negative self-image if images/videos are heavily edited/unrealistic/idealistic

So, after all this, I think research, allied with a modicum of common sense, would strongly indicate
that fitness trends on social media may be effective motivators for people to kick-start training, to use for inspiration or as an fun alternative when travelling, for example. However, they should be combined with professionally designed training by qualified instructors – either through their online apps/websites or with face-to-face Personal Trainers who get to know YOU and tailor to your unique self – through the ups and the downs!

I recommend using the latter… but I would say that, wouldn’t I?

Research and Acknowledgements
www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk
www.elle.com/beauty/health-fitness
www.psychreg.org
www.exercise.com
https://viewerdigest.com

Hints and Tips When Hiring a Personal Trainer

October 26, 2025Leave a comment

Finding the personal trainer who is right for you is a challenge. But it’s one which, with a little
research and determination, you can pull off very successfully if you follow a few simple guidelines.
Stating the obvious, the first step is to decide whether or not you feel will benefit from the individual attention that a PT will provide. This is the motivation for you to actively seek the PT who will meet your
needs.

A key requirement is that the PT should have a recognised professional industry qualification such as CIMSPA (formerly REPS), NRPT or AIPT for example. They should be at least Level 3 qualified and have full insurance.
Clearly you need to have a good idea of what your objectives are in pursuing a programme of
physical activity. For example, you may have been a member of a gym or sports club but found that
you need a more focused plan to achieve your goals. Once you have hired your PT they can help you
with this, of course, but it’s a good idea to know if your aim is to, for example, get fitter or lose
weight or improve flexibility or rehab from surgery etc. IF you are unsure, a good PT will help you devise some SMART goals to whittle down what you want, and make it easier to track your journey.

A professional PT can devise exercise plans that will cater for almost any needs, but it’s sensible to ask if they have existing clients who also have these objectives – have they worked with X condition or Y limitations before?

Possessing the appropriate qualifications is one imperative requirement but experience is also
extremely important – an experienced PT will be able to work flexibly and adapt to be able to accommodate limitations and individual abilities.

If their qualifications and experience fit the bill then you’ll want to find out how your prospective PT
likes to run a session: are they relaxed? Authoritative? Supportive? Strict or gentle? I have seen all of these styles of coaching and each of them suits someone, somewhere – but you need to ensure that your choice of PT will work the way that you like and that you will respond positively to.

A valuable indication of their professionalism is the way they present their credentials
and their client management. For example, the standard of paperwork when you sign up with them: did they ask for a PAR-Q, Informed Consent or a Client-Trainer Agreement? Whilst paperwork can be a pain, the level of care and professionalism a PT shows in the early stages can give you an indication of their attitude going forwards.

Another question when considering which PT will be suitable is how they normally monitor a client’s
progress and use the data to inform them how to adjust the activities to ensure continuing
progression. You will want to feel confident that you are getting what you paid for. Additionally, you could ask if the PT can give you an indication of how they see your training plan going forward and the sort of exercises they might suggest for you.

Another significant issue to consider before appointing a PT is their location. Whether you intend to
visit their base or prefer them to come to you, the travelling distance and convenience can make all
the difference between time well-spent or wasted. Are you sure you can manage the commitment in your daily/weekly/monthly schedule? Can you commit to a regular time each week or do you need the flexibility of a decide week-by-week basis?

Finally (although, in many ways this may be more important than all the above), make sure that you
are confident that you will get on with your future PT. It may sound elementary but can you imagine
signing up with someone who you just don’t feel comfortable with or who doesn’t suit your
temperament? You really are aiming for a sort of “bond” with your PT which can help you through
times when the session gets tough or you are not in your best place mentally. Often, being with the
“right” PT can lift you psychologically as well as physically. Not to be underestimated!

Research and acknowledgements:

https://www.womanandhome.com/health-wellbeing
https://www.theptdc.com
https://www.issaonline.com

Going solo or with a group – which is best?

September 11, 2025Leave a comment

I love working with my clients – whether 1-2-1 or in a group. The main concern for me is which environment is going to be of the greatest benefit. Group vs solo exercise success can hinge on individual preference, personality, objectives, commitment, time frame and environment.

Any PT can design exercise routines that achieve their clients’ desired goals : be it in solo or group
workout scenarios e.g. “bootcamps”. It simply hinges on individual needs rather than the
number of “exercisers”!

Going solo

Most important are the elements that make up the exercise program that does it for you.
For example, some people want flexibility in their schedule, so that they can work out whenever it suits them. They don’t have to “fit in” with anyone else’s time frame. A 1-2-1 Personal Trainer is also able to
design an exercise programme to offer a perfect match to the client’s goals and needs. This can
include advice and guidance honed by direct and close-up observation of the physical attributes and
capabilities of the client.

One obvious benefit of solo exercise with a PT is that the pace of each session is dictated by the
client (in conjunction with the PT) and cannot be controlled by the progress of (or comparison to) others, as may happen in a group situation.

In a 1-2-1 situation, as well as tailoring exercises which suit the individual, the PT is
also able to balance the physical and mental energy required to complete a workout: we all know
there are days when we are “up for it” and other times when we’re decidedly not!

Some clients simply don’t enjoy exercising in a group. Perhaps they are a little shy or maybe prefer
to compete with themselves rather than against others in a group, and personally I can completely understand that!

In with the gang

I also find that many people choose to exercise in a group because they feel that it helps
motivate them to try harder; it could be an element of competition which drives them to want to
achieve more. In some cases it can provide an opportunity to be ‘paired up’ with others to push each other to greater heights!

Fitness professionals are familiar with a phenomenon called the Köhler effect. This states that
members of a group work harder than they would if training alone. But don’t worry – even when working 1-2-1, I become your personal cheerleader – pushing you to achieve more and go that little bit further than you might without me!

On the other hand, I’ll often get the group members to encourage, cajole and
support each other which brings the individuals together to aim for shared goals. This can lead to real
social engagement during and after sessions and for some people, this makes their exercising more
enjoyable and attractive. And we mustn’t overlook the fact that people are more likely to attend their sessions if they know they will be missed by the rest of the group (nothing like a little peer-pressure!)

Now we shouldn’t forget the obvious….

It is entirely possible to adopt a regimen which mixes solo (121 with PT) exercising with PT-led group sessions. A lot of people thrive on the approach which delivers the best of both worlds.
(It’s important to note that, whether instructing a “lone” client or a group, one key role of the PT is
to ensure that the exercises are performed safely and with minimum risk of injury. Sometimes this is harder to monitor in a larger group setting).

So …in conclusion…
In the end, it’s what works best for you. Both training alone with your PT and training in PT-led
groups can be extremely effective and really depends on what makes YOU click. As long as you are progressing, feeling motivated and challenged and are uninjured…it’s all good!

Get in touch if you want to discuss which is best for you

Research and Acknowledgements
https://gymnstrength.com
https://restore-mentalhealth.com
https://www.elialmc.com
https://www.precisionhydration.com

Fitness and Wellbeing for Women over 40

August 13, 2025Leave a comment

As far as I am concerned there’s never a bad time to try to keep your body and mind as fit and agile
as possible. Exercise at any age is a good habit to adopt, as long as it suits the individual’s needs and abilities.

If you can maintain your general fitness as you get older it helps in so many ways; from preserving
your mobility, raising energy levels and reducing the risk of injury through loss of balance/coordination/strength.

And if that’s not enough good news, according to British Heart Foundation research, the more active
you are in later life, the more likely it is that you have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis and even better brain function.

Clients of All Ages
I am lucky to be working with a wide range of clients of varying ages who are at different stages
along their fitness ‘journey’. Creating routines and classes to match their distinct needs is what keeps
me on my toes and encourages me to offer them new challenges along the way.

Many of my clients are 40 yrs + and I am delighted that they give me the opportunity to design, deliver and oversee their exercise and healthy lifestyle changes.
My experience has been that a different approach is often required when creating programmes for
individuals who are within this broad age range (40-65yrs) because their needs, physical capabilities and and expectations are very different to, say, clients in their 20s.

When it comes to a more ‘mature’ approach to exercise and wellbeing, instead of simply adhering to
traditional methodologies, it’s important to approach wellness activities with flexibility, mindfulness,
and an understanding of the changes that naturally occur in the body over time.

Stress and anxiety can accumulate as responsibilities and life transitions mount up and changes in
hormonal levels that accompany ageing affect energy, metabolism, and emotional health.
In addition, hormonal shifts which occur during perimenopause and menopause can impact sleep,
weight gain, and mental health. A tailored fitness plan can help mitigate some of the physical and
emotional effects of these changes which occur in all women after 40 (ish!).

Let’s be honest, everybody is different and, on top of that, as we age our bodies start to almost
dictate what each of us is able to do physically. The important thing is to do something rather than
do nothing and the job of a personal trainer is to work with a client to find what exercise works for
THEM. As women age, their needs and goals may vary greatly, so flexibility is key to
staying engaged and motivated.

Keep Moving. Stay Active
I think most health-aware people know that some level of physical activity is highly-desirable at any
age; and the older they become, the more importance they should place in their daily fitness
routine.
In fact, NHS guidelines are clear in recommending that “older adults should do some type of physical
activity every day. It can help to improve your health and reduce the risk of heart disease and
stroke”.

I’m a strong advocate for anyone who is new to exercise or hasn’t exercised for some time, or
perhaps has a health condition, to speak to their GP before embarking on a fitness regime.
Then it’s over to me to tailor your exercise to your needs

Light Activity
For example, I will see some clients at the gym, face-to-face in their homes or virtually via “Zoom”
and will coach them to engage in light activity movements in order that they simply maintain a range
of motion. For example, lifting light weights, stretches, flexing, resistance bands, gentle lunges, squats, balance exercises etc. My aim is to create a sustainable and enjoyable fitness routine that emphasizes movement and functional strength rather than sheer intensity.
We’re not aiming to put too much strain on the body. Maybe even some deep breathing techniques
(e.g., diaphragmatic breathing) and relaxation techniques to help relieve stress and emotional
strains. Possibly some low-impact cardio such as going for a walk. Basically activity which can be maintained consistently

Raise the Bar a Little
If I have assessed that a client needs to engage in slightly more “intensive” activity then I’m aiming
to raise their heart rate, make them breathe faster and increase their body temperature. And I have
a number of tried-and-trusted ways of achieving these objectives in bespoke routines either in their
homes or at the gym.

Sustaining fitness in midlife and later life does not mean forgetting exercises that maintain and grow
your strength. If anything, training your muscles and joints to manage the various physical strains
and stresses of everyday life is key to allowing you to be healthy and safe in a world
where stairs, steps, slopes, hills, kerbs, drain covers, uneven pavements, shop doorways, escalators etc. are all out there waiting for us!

Fitness On Your Terms and In Your Own Time
Ultimately, for the more ‘mature’ person, the focus should be on creating a lifestyle that promotes overall health, nurtures well-being, and embraces the body and what it can do. Fitness doesn’t have to be
about keeping up with younger standards; it’s about thriving in your own time.

Research and Acknowledgments
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/physical-activity-guidelines-older-adults/
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/exercise/
https://weareundefeatable.co.uk/about-us/
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/activity/exercise-older-adults
https://www.fightingfifty.co.uk/articles/top-10-health-and-fitness-tips-women-over-50/

The Exercise ‘Gender Gap’

July 7, 2025Leave a comment

Some concerning research has shown that women are exercising less than men.

You may have heard that this has become known as the “Gender Gap”. The gender
gap is more obvious in vigorous activities, sports participation, and strength training.
Nevertheless, the difference is very noticeable at all levels of physical activity.
The more I research exercise and how women engage with it, the more I have been
seeing studies which have tried to understand and explain the reasons for the “Gap”.

What sort of things have they discovered?
First, this isn’t new. Women have always lagged behind men when it comes to
physical exercise. Sports England undertook a survey in 2021 which showed that
only 61% of women engaged in physical activity to the NHS-recommended level of
150 minutes per week, as opposed to 66% of men.
A slightly more up-to-date study by “Asics” in February 2024 discovered that 54.4% of UK women were cutting back on exercising or stopping completely. Reasons quoted include not having enough time (80%), low self-confidence (55%), the cost of gyms (65%), and not feeling ‘sporty’ enough (58%).
And even back in 2012 a survey indicated that gender differences emerge in
childhood. Only 8% of 14-year-old UK girls met the recommended daily activity vs
32% of boys.

So, the “Gender Gap” manifests itself early in life.

I suspect we all recognise that (generally) girls tend to be less enthusiastic than boys when it
comes to physical activities at school. Lack of confidence and limited enjoyment are
typically quoted as reasons.

But the distinction continues into later life. Motherhood presents many challenges to
disrupt lifestyle, such as looking after children and housework, which can
disproportionately impact women rather than men so much so that they have far less
time to take exercise. According to “Vitality” magazine (December 2024) 80% of
women say childcare commitments limit their ability to stay active. Essentially,
caregiving and household duties are considered greater priorities than personal fitness time.

There can be no doubt that single mothers and women from lower income families
find it difficult to justify spending on gym membership or home-exercise equipment,
which would account for a proportion of the non-exercising demographic.
Lifestyle and financial limitations and other commitments are not the only obstacles to more activity. Sadly, increasingly women are feeling vulnerable and exposed when going for a walk or a run, in particular concerns about risk after dark e.g. stalking and assault.

Not All Gyms Have Kept Up with the Times
Some issues which can adversely affect women’s participation in physical activity
can have their roots in (thankfully outdated and fast-shrinking) negative aspects of
“gym culture” which leads to women having concerns about their body image and
confidence when exercising. So often, when I meet new female clients, they express their trepidation about stepping in to a gym ‘full of boys’ lifting heavy weights!

It’s also true to say that many older gyms and sports facilities were designed and
built with male clientele in mind to cater for the demand AS IT USED TO BE! They are not
overly amenable to women; lacking, for example, fully adjustable machines, childcare options, or female personal trainers and coaches. (There is even a statistic which suggests that 6 out of 10 women were more active before they had children).

However, I believe there is evidence that, gradually, more and more women are stepping out, flexing their muscles and realising they too have permission to train to be fit and strong and healthy.

There is increasing participation by women in fitness, running, and strength training.
Women’s sports are gaining visibility, and more female-focused programs and safe
spaces are being created. More women’s voices are being heard, listened to and
heeded in design and development of exercise routines; sporting venues; facilities
and gyms. And the industry is beginning to recognise that when we are young, we
exercise for aesthetics; when we are middle-aged, we exercise for health and when
we are older, we exercise to improve function.
If this trend continues, for women of all ages, I believe we shall see a dramatic
change in the “width” of the Gender Gap.

Research and Acknowledgements
https://www.theflowspace.com/
https://bmcresnotes.biomedcentral.com/articles/
https://www.abc.net.au/news/
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/

Girls V Boys – why results differ

May 5, 2025May 12, 2025Leave a comment

Why don’t Men and Women Benefit Equally from Doing the Same Exercises?

Ever trained identically with a partner or friend of the opposite sex and wondered why their results are different from yours? Why do men seem to lose fat faster, or gain muscle quicker? Why can women run longer and not fatigue as quickly?

I train a mixture of genders, and witness first-hand the difference that genes, hormones and mental-attitude can have on results.

There was some research in 2024 by Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai academic healthcare
organisation in Los Angeles which revealed that women will achieve greater cardiovascular benefit
than men even if they exercise less frequently. Studies also found that, when it comes to longer term
health and wellbeing benefits e.g. greater longevity, women probably don’t have to work out as
much as men to achieve similar value from the exercise.

My own experience as a PT has shown me that, while women are (potentially) capable of doing the
same exercises as men, it is a physiological fact that the female body is different to the male
physique and therefore everyone’s expectations of their capabilities and outcomes have to be
managed with this in mind. For example, simply put, men have a natural advantage with anaerobic exercise (HIIT, weightlifting…any short, high-intensity bursts of exercise)while women are more disposed towards those types of exercise which are more focused on endurance (long distance running/cycling/swimming).

This does not mean, however, that you should only train in that one area.

With Personal Training, exercises are designed to extract the greatest benefit for the exerciser, so, for males, the workout will be more likely to include elements which utilise their greater muscle mass due to their higher levels of testosterone which increases the rate of muscle growth and also speeds recovery.

Women simply don’t have the same hormonal make-up which means they do not possess the equivalent
muscle mass nor do they experience the same rate of muscle growth.

Body fat plays a part in differentiating the impact that certain exercises have on women and men.
Men’s body fat is generally lower than women’s (hormones again!) and is stored mainly around the
internal organs, whereas women’s body fat is deposited largely nearer the surface, under the skin.
This variance in distribution of body fat can affect levels of energy during exercise.

Why women should still weight-lift
One major difference in level of benefit for women over men is in the area of strength training which
can deliver a long-term payoff in the form of healthier joints and bones and can help offset the
impact of lower bone density (common issue in Women over 50).

What I have discovered over the years as a PT is that women come to PT having done a range of cardio-based exercise before (dance, walking, running), but never tried strength-training. But I introduce anaerobic exercises, such as power-focused sessions, to ensure that they are challenged to move outside their comfort zone.

Another win for the ladies:
Studies have found that women cope with endurance-based exercises better than men and can recover more quickly than men after exercise. Women also have better staying power than men which means they can keep going for longer!

Why men should still do cardio:
On the other hand, my male clients can gain more from cardio because it’s a challenge for them. It
burns fat and promotes endurance which are the outcomes that deliver the benefits they seek over
and above the training paybacks they are more familiar with (being more accustomed to strength training and anaerobic workouts).

What is the “Takeaway”?
Men’s and women’s bodies (and minds) react differently to the same exercise. Different levels of
strength, hormones, muscle fibre differences and Cardiovascular variations all play their part. Basically, whether you’re a man or a woman, you need to be provided with a fitness and wellbeing programme to suit you – which plays to your strengths, but also challenges your ‘weaknesses’.

Research and Acknowledgements
https://www.cedars-sinai.org
https://www.nih.gov
https://drlauryn.com
https://obefitness.com

The Real Benefits of Hiring Your Own Personal Trainer

February 2, 2025Leave a comment

So as “Quitters Day” (Jan 10) and “Blue Monday” (Jan 20) recede in the rear view mirror of our daily lives and we start to fall into the rhythm of a new year, let’s spare a thought for all those people (some of whom I’m sure most of us know) who have yet to get going on their resolution to “hit the ground running in ‘25”. Their intentions back in December 2024 to revitalize their fitness and wellbeing efforts were highly commendable…but has the INTENTION yet to be put into ACTION??

We get it! Good intentions are fine, but as John Steinbeck said, “Intention, good or bad, is not enough”.

YouGov have found that improving physical health is the most common New Year resolution (66%). Women are slightly more likely than men to prioritise physical health with seven in 10 women choosing this goal (69%) compared to six in 10 men (62%). However, a study by Strava discovered that 80% of people they surveyed had given up on their resolutions by the second Friday in January.

I doubt they would find it so easy to abandon their fitness journey if they had a personal trainer guiding and motivating them.

The Role of a PT

I see part of my role as a PT in some ways as a training “partner” whose purpose is to help my client maintain their enthusiasm for staying with the programme we have jointly designed to achieve our agreed targets. Of course, this is just one aspect of the client/PT link which illustrates the value of the relationship. If you are considering appointing a personal trainer for the first time it might be helpful to draw attention to the key benefits of working together on a single-minded path towards your fitness goals.

Expert Guidance
Professional PTs are qualified to instruct and demonstrate correct exercise techniques which ensure
that the client will not injure themselves. As an example, you might think that the squat is basically
simple down-and-up, but a personal trainer would be looking for the correct head position, the precise upper and lower back position, the exact pelvis position, accurate knee alignment and optimum foot position.
(Maybe not as straightforward as it seems!)
We can also design bespoke workouts to be in tune with your personal fitness level, your aspirations
and any physical or mental constraints you might have.

Personalised Workouts
Each client will receive an exercise plan constructed to meet their fitness goals.

Keep It Fresh and Engaging
Personal trainers will work to ensure that your workouts are not boring or repetitive and they will modify your exercises to match your needs and capabilities as the training programme advances.

More Efficient Use of Time Because of the professional management and execution of the fitness training which a PT brings to the party, clients find that there is more efficient use of their time which leads to more effective workouts and less time and effort wasted on inappropriate routines.

Improved Confidence
For clients who engage with their PT in a gym environment there is the added bonus of receiving
expert tuition on the use of the equipment and this does wonders for confidence.

Support for Special Goals or Health Conditions
This requirement is more common than you might think and on several occasions I have varied a
routine for a client who was preparing for a competition or event. I also frequently have to
adjust a workout to cater for a client’s medical condition, post-surgery or during and after pregnancy. For instance, I have worked one-to-one on a rehabilitation plan with a client in their 70s after double knee replacement, worked with clients post-mastectomy and post-significant back surgery.

Education and Enlightenment
It almost goes without saying that, working so closely with a PT, clients often find that they are able
to acquire a better understanding of their physical strengths and weaknesses, positioning and general body-awareness. In addition, all the talk of “muscle groups”, “core engagement” and “shoulders back!!” is bound to “rub off” at some point and increase awareness of the significance of posture, balance and positioning!

Please contact me if you would like to know more about working with your own Personal
Trainer!

Research and Acknowledgements
https://www.strava.com
https://www.vogue.co.uk
https://business.yougov.com
https://www.verywellfit.com/reasons-to-hire-a-personal-trainer-1231372
https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/benefits-of-personal-training

Stress – What can you do to help YOU? (It’s Not Only Exercise That Can Help…)

April 10, 2024Leave a comment

Stress is a subject which I have written about before (November 2023). At that time I was prompted by the discovery that 1st November 2023 was National Stress Awareness Day and I was interested in how exercise had the potential to play a part in helping to alleviate the impact of stress for sufferers.

You may know that April is Stress Awareness Month (and has been since 1992), so I couldn’t let it go by without revisiting the issue, especially as it is a condition which is affecting vast numbers of us. The Mental Health Foundation has published that 74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) almost two million workers in Great Britain reported suffering from work-related ill health in 2022/23, with approximately half of the cases caused by stress, depression or anxiety. And apparently the current rate of self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety is at a higher level than before Covid.

So, having talked about the benefits of exercise last November, for this month’s piece I thought I would touch on another approach in addition to exercise which can relieve stress.

The HSE has launched a campaign called “Working Minds” which aims to encourage employers to support their employees’ mental health during Stress Awareness Month.

As a Life Coach I find this initiative resonates with me and I am fully behind it. And it’s not just relevant to the work situation. Being able to organise and feel in control of both your personal and professional life can have a huge positive impact on your mental health. When we feel stressed and overwhelmed, making any steps towards positive changes can feel like one task too many, and so we can end up shutting down and ‘sticking our heads in the sand’.

Sound familiar?

Life coaching offers a method of countering negative mindsets exacerbated by pressure and anxiety and can bring to the fore positive attitudes and emotions which serve to assist in neutralising stress. In the process, you feel empowered and confident to make small steps which benefit YOU. When we don’t prioritise OURSELVES, ultimately eventually we burn-out through self-neglect.

The benefits of physical exercise and life coaching therapies can reduce stress levels significantly. If you would like to find out more please contact me!