Odlo European Regional Manager discusses how running benefits your mind and body.

Mental health is something that impacts many people and so I know that I am not unique in facing my own mental health challenges both at work and at home. Everyone has their own ways of coping both physically and mentally. For me, talking to someone and exercising helps keep my mind cool and what I wear keeps my body cool.

Dad, Husband, Uncle, Son, Senior Manager, Business Owner and Ex-Competitive athlete.

I wrote this blog because I am the Regional Manager for ODLO Sportswear, (hence the semi shameless plug on our new technologies), and I wanted to talk about how running helps my mental health. I'll also touch on why the kit I wear makes a difference too.

I run 3 companies and as a father of 4 wonderful children and a husband to an incredible wife, life can get pretty stressful at times. Sometimes I just want to scream out loud or escape, even if it's just for a moment. I know I am not alone in that feeling; it consumes many of us and I'm here to tell you that IT IS NORMAL!

It is at these times I turn to exercise; I focus on taking the heat and stress away from my mind and drive the blood flow into my body through movement. This helps free my mind and keep it from boiling over. 

I’m not a club runner, I just run for peace of mind on my own or sometimes with others. I find dynamic body exercises to break up my run really helps keep my motivation going, like jumping, press-ups or chin ups. This is why I think Tough Mudder is one of my favourite events that I’ve ever done. I find running only events more challenging, yet they can be more mentally rewarding.

At big events I feel that crowds cheering you on really helps too. Without the amazing crowds, I would have found running the London Marathon much harder than I did. While I suffered physically in my first marathon, mainly because I only trained up to 25km, it was one of the most mentally liberating experiences of my life. I had never experienced that kind of pain and discomfort before and I know that without those incredible crowds cheering me on, I would've never achieved close to my 4-hour target time. From this experience I've learnt that if you want to really test what you are made of, run a marathon!

People provide positive energy and so talking to the right people can make all the difference. I find it much easier talking to people who don't know me about my mental health because I feel less judged. I’ve used a few different therapists to help me work through some of my challenges and I find it helps getting a few different viewpoints from different people. This is a service you can access on the NHS

In my younger days I went through a tough divorce and Men's Advice Line were amazing and very supportive. I was made to feel like I could discuss anything without judgement, which I think is one of the biggest fears for men.

Some people just don’t get it, aka the ‘just man up’ brigade. Don’t confide in those people, they will only make you more anxious. Remember that it’s okay for them to not understand and try to be thankful that they don’t feel the way you do, not resentful.