Why It's Important To Move For Your Mental Health
Did you know, being on, in, and near water can be among the most cost-effective ways of reducing stress and anxiety?
As mental health awareness is increasing and conversations around mental health and becoming more mainstream (thank goodness!) we are not only hearing but experiencing first hand, the mental health benefits of movement and being in the outdoors.
With women across Australia are taking to the water through our virtual SUP event, 10k Her Way I wanted to share the story of one female paddler in WA who has started an initiative called Move For Mental Health (M4MH) based on her own personal experiences of the mental health benefits of movement and exercise.
Introducing Kylianne Farrell…
Hey Kylianne, thanks for sharing your story with us! What was your first SUP experience? / How did you get into SUP?
My most memorable first SUP experience was in the South West of WA at the beautiful beach Bunker Bay, the South West region is notorious for its epic beaches and white pointer sharks that frequent the area. I had got out beyond the shore breaking waves that day into deeper water when the fear and adrenaline took over causing me to fall into the water, a very common story when it came to me and the ocean, fear held me back from experiencing all the water had to offer.
It wasn't until I completely ruptured my ACL playing sport at the end of 2018 that I went in search of a sport that I could invest in and with the help of Cracker Jack Paddle Sports I started training in Feb of 2019, completely fell in love with the sport and fast forward to now I am planning endurance paddles after completing my first 100km ultra in September of this year, 60km of which was SUP.
You are the founder of Move For Mental Health (M4MH). What is it and how did it start?
Move For Mental Health empowers and educates people to move, get outside, play, experience, adventure and explore more to boost mental wellbeing and reduce the symptoms of mental illness. Advocating for protective factors to create mental resilience to overcome challenges and adversities faced on a daily basis.
Move For Mental Health started as an initiative in 2017 after the birth of my second daughter. After my first experience with birth, I was left with physical injuries that impacted the way exercise looked for me, given movement and exercise formed a huge part of my coping strategy for keeping my depression and anxiety symptoms at bay, I spiralled into a dark place for a long time as I reconnected to my new normal.
I wanted to set a goal that would ensure I had to invest in the things that I knew would keep me mentally well. I researched and found the Cape to Cape Hike 124km over 7 days in Margaret River Region. I had interest in others joining me so I decided to open it up to others and raise awareness for mental health fundraising for The Gidget Foundation. Since then we have completed 5 hikes, fundraised close to $100,000 for The Gidget Foundation and have had 48 people mainly women hike with us!
Through Move For Mental Health, I speak and educate all over the country, in addition to the multi-day hikes run learn to surf trips and take on personal expeditions to raise awareness for the messaging of M4MH. This is where SUP has come in, I use my own personal experiences with SUP to hopefully inspire and educate on how movement and nature can powerfully impact mental wellbeing.
From your expertise & research, what is it about natural settings, such as being on the water, that make us feel good?
There is a huge body of research on green and blue space and its impact on mental wellbeing. One benefit that is incredibly relevant in our very technology-driven modern society is the need for mental restoration. Four restorative properties are being away, extent, fascination, and compatibility.
For those that are drawn to the ocean and the water, SUP can be the perfect way to move through nature towards mental restoration. When we take to the board we leave the shoreline creating space between us and the hustle of daily life and our challenges, we are immersed in the vastness of the blue space we are moving through, given humans are land-dwelling there is so much to explore and be fascinated by allowing us to be mindful taking our brains away from the overwhelm and into the moment of what we are seeing and feeling while paddling.
I feel like we are all living more stressful lives these days, so how does SUP impact your brain and stress levels?
When we exercise like SUP we are doing what we as human beings have been hardwired to do in response to a stressor MOVE, there is a reason it is called the fight or flight response! We need the ability to recover from stress to ensure chronic stress doesn’t take hold and cause issues mentally and physically. When we move the recovery process fires up not just in our muscles but in the neurons in our brains too. Leaving our minds stronger and more resilient when thrown challenges in daily life.
What benefits have you personally gained from taking up SUP?
SUP has given me the opportunity to push my personal boundaries both physically and mentally. When I first started training I couldn’t paddle for more than 2km, I have learnt to feel fear and move (or paddle) through it, I have gained incredible confidence in myself and trust in my bodies ability to perform and that SUP has the ability to be mindfulness or meditation in motion.
Thank you SO much Kylianne for the work that you do, sharing your story, and sharing your mental health expertise with us!!
You can find out more about Move For Mental Health here and if you require or are interested in further resources regarding mental health and wellbeing check out:
R U OK? - If you’re seeking support on how to start more conversations around Mental Health: https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask
Beyond Blue - If you’d like to learn more about Mental Health and seek further support: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Mental health is going to be a topic we will continue talking about here during 10k Her Way, as it’s something that effects each and every one of us. If you’re ever going through anything and need someone to talk to, please reach out. The She SUPs Community is here as a support network, and if needed we can help connect you with the right people to support your own mental health journey.
Let’s break the stigma around mental health and keep talking.
Vikki x