{"id":7227,"date":"2018-06-05T10:51:48","date_gmt":"2018-06-05T10:51:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fitproblog.mysites.io\/anxiety-gym\/"},"modified":"2018-06-05T10:51:48","modified_gmt":"2018-06-05T10:51:48","slug":"anxiety-gym","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/anxiety-gym\/","title":{"rendered":"Anxiety in the gym"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have received your Fitpro<\/em> summer magazine, you will have seen the feature on anxiety on pages 44-46. We spoke to the CEO of Anxiety UK and Professor Adrian Wells, who shared insight into panic attacks and how they are linked to exercising in the gym. To read the full article as a FitPro member, head to www.fitpro.com\/magazine<\/a><\/p>\n

In relation to this feature, we spoke to Paul Milton, a disabilities adviser, who has dyslexia and epilepsy. Paul told FitPro there are \u201ca lot of pressures on the average male, let alone a male with mild disabilities.\u201d<\/em> Here, Paul details further insight into his own body image: http:\/\/www.byc.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/BYC019-Paul-Milton.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

Paul continues, \u201cWhen it comes to sharing emotions, feelings, we seem to be going back instead of going forward, with \u2018snow flake\u2019 being the favourite catchphrase around for someone who shows vulnerability. \u00a0I have been through a lot in my life; I was severely bullied within secondary education.\u201d<\/em> (Read more about Paul\u2019s experience here: https:\/\/www.midsussextimes.co.uk\/news\/opinion\/column-paul-milton-1-7063549<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\u201cMy anxiety heightened greatly as a result of the Westminster attack back in\u00a0March 2017. I was in Parliament for a meeting on that day. Since the Westminster attack, I haven\u2019t been quite the same person; I don\u2019t like people walking towards me or too close \u2013 even touch \u2013 unless I\u2019m comfortable and I trust the person or it\u2019s on my terms. It\u2019s very difficult. Also, [when it comes to] smells and sounds, my senses are all very heightened.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Paul turned to health and fitness to help with his anxiety and there are a few things he must consider before he heads to the gym.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new gym I\u2019m at is just right for me,” says Paul. \u201cIt\u2019s little things, such as the music I like being played and I like the signage on the wall saying \u2018be kind to one another\u2019, which really makes a difference. I\u2019ve found the key to dealing with my anxiety \u2026. I love quiet times in the gym when there are hardly any people. If you suffer from anxiety, you can probably sympathise that having a quiet environment really helps.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The routine of the gym lifestyle helps Paul with his anxiety. He says, \u201cGetting my gear and equipment ready for the gym and after-workout shakes also make a difference. Also, how you get to the gym \u2013 whether it\u2019s walking or running, or getting a lift, I think planning your visit and trip takes unwanted stress and anxiety out of fitness.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Paul tells FitPro that his fitness journey is still very much ongoing; he\u2019s still tweaking his diet and working out what works and what doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

With regards to his mental health, Paul has the following thoughts from his experience: \u201cIn terms of my mental health, the bravest thing is admitting to yourself that you\u2019re not alright and you need a little help. I only considered counselling after a friend suggested it. I would say, for me, it is a bit of getting male acceptance from others \u2013 in my opinion, it\u2019s a male pride thing to actually begin to speak to someone about your emotions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

How you can help<\/h3>\n

CEO of Anxiety UK, Nicky Lidbetter provides some advice into how you can help your clients and what to be aware of:<\/p>\n