Good mental health: Exercise
Exercise is good for our physical health as it can improve our aerobic capacity and physique, increase muscle size and add years to our lives.
However, exercise is also just as important for our mental health and wellbeing. It promotes changes in the brain, such as neural growth, reduces inflammation and stimulates new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and wellbeing.
Exercise can also serve as a distraction, allowing you to find some quiet time to break out of the cycle of negative thoughts and can help relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), trauma and other mental health conditions. It can help you feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, improve your memory and feel more relaxed and positive.
Exercising at home
Doing a little exercise everyday can really help, and so much can be done from home. There are resources to help keep yourself physically fit which also means you will be supporting your mental health.
British Blind Sport has an online library of accessible, audio-led video workouts to help keep you active and healthy in the privacy of your own home. This resource is especially useful while current restrictions and the social distancing measures are in place. There are a variety of workouts to choose from across many different activities and exercises. Have a look through the categories below to find exactly what you're looking for:
- Yoga and stretch classes
- High-intensity interval training (HITT) and cardio classes
- Strength/weight classes
- Pilates and dance classes
- Gentle exercise classes
- Children and young people classes
- Sports skills classes
RNIB Connect Radio features a yoga session every morning at 7am with Marty Klein, a blind author and workshop leader, and Gretchen Hein, a yoga enthusiast and certified yoga teacher. Tune in online or on Freeview 730 to relax with half an hour with soothing music and yoga exercises especially created for blind and partially sighted listeners.
We recommend you watch this Injury Prevention Screening video from Stronglines Physio. It shows how you can understand the endurance and strength of key muscle groups in your body and strengthen them to prevent or reduce the risk of injury.
Sight loss and feelings about exercise
When you lose your sight, it is normal to suffer a drop in confidence in doing things you once enjoyed like exercise. You may be fearful about engaging in physical activity and worry about getting injured. Activities like running or swimming may seem impossible now and you may be reluctant to ask for help or advice. You may want to go to the gym but feel unsure of how you will use the equipment or how to get changed or shower. You may wonder if you can use your cane or bring your guide dog.
These are normal feelings and concerns but it is good to know that many people with sight loss are able to continue to exercise and enjoy a number of sports with adjustments and support; you may even discover a new activity that you have not previously considered.
It is important to be aware that leisure providers are legally required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to enable visually impaired people to use their services. For example, if you would like to use a gym, a member of staff could help guide you around the equipment or provide a discount for your support worker. If you are feeling self-conscious or vulnerable in the locker room, there should be a disabled facility to enable you to get changed safely and in private.
Many people with sight loss may initially not have the confidence to exercise with others or are reluctant to leave the house. If so, British Blind Sport has an online library of accessible, audio-led video workouts to help keep you active and healthy in the privacy of your own home.
If your feelings surrounding your sight loss are preventing you from exercising or you need more help in building up your confidence first, perhaps it may be helpful to talk about it with a counsellor.
Talking to others with sight loss who share the same feelings about exercise and sport will help build your confidence. RNIB run Talk and Support befriending social groups for adults with sight loss, and Living Well with Sight Loss courses by phone and video call to enable you to share your experiences with others, and get practical advice, information and resources.
Further information
There are many organisations that challenge the external barriers to sight loss and aim to make sports and outdoor activities as accessible as possible. Sometimes special equipment is required, a different setting or adapted rules. These organisations can offer advice and support, and enable you to meet other people with similar interests:
Disability Sports Northern Ireland
English Federation of Disability Sport
The Sightline Directory can also provide information and contact details of organisations that provide accessible sport and leisure activities for those living with sight loss.
