Citylife in Lichfield September 2021

Working Out
Wellbeing
By Jo Howell
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There are enough apps, YouTube videos and general selfhelp
groups on the various social media channels to
support with wellbeing these days. And certainly, even
more choice since the first lockdown back in March 2020.
Equally, you don’t have to go very far to read an article on how
keeping your brain active, your body moving, and your soul
nourished are all excellent ways to help your overall wellbeing.
But we know all that, right? We know that switching off from
technology (not just social media) is great for the (negative) mind
chatter; we know that daily exercise works wonders for the heart
(and head) and of course we know that being kind to yourself is
always the best medicine.
So, although I do try to do all of the above on a daily basis, I felt
like I was looking for something else. Something that would push me
a little, make me think and shove me out of my comfort zone. And
having found myself in the unfortunate position of redundancy at the
moment, it has given me the great opportunity to try some new
daytime exercise classes at the Gym. Sitting comfortably? Let me tell
you about the ‘Wellbeing Workout’ class….
I really had no idea what to expect as the class description simply
said a ‘low impact class designed to improve your overall wellbeing’.
I like the words ‘low impact’ so…how hard can it be? Very, it would
appear!
The very amusing (without trying) Instructor was probably pushing
mid 60’s and could bend and flex her very lithe body in more ways
that I could ever dream of. Add in weights in both hands and I was
seriously impressed. There was about 20 of us in the class and I was
one of, if not the, youngest there and again, I guessed this wasn’t going
to be a killer like the spinning class I’d done earlier in the week. This
will be fine, I muttered to myself as I did the 100th squat and prayed
my bladder was strong enough to withhold the ermm…tension.
45 minutes of weightlifting, lunges, squats, sit ups – all low impact
and at very steady pace – with a soundtrack that would be suited to
the chilled-out bars of Ibiza and weirdly I felt very, well relaxed. I may
not be able to brush my hair or walk upstairs tomorrow but for now,
I feel good. Great, even!
And that’s the morale to my article. Wellbeing comes in all forms
and it doesn’t matter what it looks like as long as it works for you.
Want to shout and scream at a football match? Do it. Feel like
climbing Snowdon this weekend? Go for it. Or are you happy
bingeing on a box set? That’s ok too.
Because the definition of wellbeing is quite simply: ‘the state of
being comfortable, healthy or happy’.
And we can all manage that can’t we?
Read more of Jo’s work at www.justanaveragejo.blog.
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