Plain and simple exercise is the single most mood elevator that doesn’t involve popping a pill or consuming mass quantities of chocolate. There are endless amounts of studies that support this conclusion. Studies that focus on appearance and looking better, to a much deeper level of releasing neurotransmitters that elevate mood. If a client is in a heightened agitated state, a good way to deal with this is by doing a complete and intense cardio workout for a quick five minutes. Get to the point where you are breathing heavily and the shirt has a little bit of sweat. This will get the endorphins flowing, and help take their mind off of the events that precipitated the negative mood to begin with.
Think along these lines, the more you use the better you feel. Translation: work as much of your body as frequently as possible. Instead of just sitting down and doing a chest press or bicep curl, let every part of the body join in. Instead of sitting, stand, instead of standing on your feet, use a balance board, or how about sitting on a stability ball. However one must remember to keep the exercises basic and easy to follow. Don’t think just do. Lose yourself in the moment.
To elaborate on the above, an acronym that we like to use is KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid. Not that I would ever dream of calling a client stupid, whether it’s true or not. We want the exercise to be enjoyable but also easy to follow. Chances are most of the day has involved over thinking, don’t think just do it. If an exercise is too difficult they will become even more frustrated and will lose the positive influence of that mood. Not to mention the inability to perform these exercises.
