Looking after my mental health one move at a time: Bethan's story

“It’s been a long process of learning what supports me to live more healthily in all ways, and movement – in particular outdoor, mindful or fun movement like dance – has been key to managing my mental health better. I couldn’t be without it now.”

Moving in May for Mental Health Awareness Week

Bethan has movement in mind throughout Mental Health Awareness Week and will be participating in a series of activities. “I’m doing a Movement May challenge with a friend of mine. We used to often do a lot of online workouts together, but haven’t for a while, and have both felt like we want to get back to it! So, this activity will fall within Mental Health Awareness Week, which is lovely.”

Bethan is also taking part in Vibes yoga at an event in her hometown of Cardiff as part of a whole host of activities at Cardiff’s Mermaid Quay to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.

Training to beat the blues

A keen runner, Bethan shares how training for the London Marathon in aid of the Mental Health Foundation helped her beat the blues. “This year, training for the London Marathon meant I was out running in daylight hours in the darkest depths of winter at least two to three times a week, and it made a huge difference to my mental health.” 

“Running has given me the opportunity to have space and process different things over the course of the last year. I think it’s made me a much more chill person.

“Running has taught me a lot over the last year, including how amazing and resilient your body and brain can be. But beyond that, movement has always brought me lots of joy.”

Bethan, who is the owner of comms agency ‘Cause, spends her time between Cardiff and South West London. “I run my own business which has its challenges, but I have also built the business in a way that lets me prioritise the things that help my mental health – and movement is top of that list, alongside rest! I’m asthmatic and a coeliac, so I do get sick a lot, and those days when I can’t move much, I do struggle. But even then I tend to pop on a Yoga with Adrienne – there are videos like Yoga for when you are sick – because I know it helps me. I try to do at least 10 mins of yoga every day to calm my system before I start the day – sometimes I am good at keeping to this, sometimes not but it helps!”

The end of Mental Health Awareness Week (19 May), marks a very special day for Bethan as she celebrates her birthday. “I will hopefully be supporting runners in the Cardiff Bay 10km, likely very jealous that I won’t be taking part, but my injuries need a break from running! I’m looking forward to some of the more low-impact sessions that will be on that day too.”

Bethan's tip

“I really recommend doing something you’re really bad at! The silliness of being bad at something is actually really fun. And even just dancing around the house, or in a class- it can really help you shake off anxiety and stress. I understand it’s difficult to take those steps, and do the things that help a lot of the time, but it’s worth a try. It’s hard, because when you’re having a tough time, that’s when you let prioritising movement slip, but it’s actually when you need it most.”