Competition is positioned at two ends of the spectrum: at one, competition is just for fun and is all about taking part, the latter – you win at all costs.

Jami is the mental health service for our community.

Statistics show that one in four British adults will experience a diagnosable mental health problem each year. Mental health affects everyone.

Everyone knows that exercise is good for the body, but exercise is also one of the most effective ways to improve your mental health. Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, stress, memory, sleep and overall mood.  No matter what your age or fitness level, you can learn to use exercise as a powerful tool to feel better and stronger.

As a Jami service user I thought I'd share a few well-chosen words about my take on Mental Health and its relation to exercise and fitness. The healthy benefits that can be derived from sport and fitness when confronted with mental health issues can never be underestimated. 

What the body does can refresh what the mind does. Walking is recommended to counter depression, being associated with serotonin in the brain. I find myself smiling a good deal when out walking.  Walking is not necessarily inferior to running: The man who holds the record for walking across America completed it in less time than the man who holds the record for running across America.

Healthy eating is about recognising the role that food plays in supporting or undermining your mental and physical health, including your emotions.  It is also about exploring your relationship with food.

My legs and arms swing in turn powered by anxiety.

Dusk is upon me, the bats flutter overhead. Like me seeking the solus of the night, all I have is the English wild life around me. I submerge myself into more own thoughts.