New to this

[jbbaxter1991]

Hi My name is jess I am mental health nurse and love everything to do with health, even though im not that healthy myself :/ hope to learn lots from the communities on this website

[misswobble Graduate]

Hi there

So you started C25k then ?

[jbbaxter1991 in reply to misswobble]

Starting it next Monday

[hopelessCause]

Welcome.

My name's Hopeless and I'm a mental health patient! Well, I would be if I was getting any help for my "issues" but hey ho, there you go. I'm trying to help myself.

This is a great forum and you'll find lots of superb advice and support here.

[the_tea_fairy Graduate in reply to hopelessCause]

Haha, I really am a mental health patient (well, have been, anyway) and find running absolutely invaluable for keeping depression and anxiety in check.

Might be something useful to consider at work, Jess? Not sure it'd do much for psychosis or acute mental health crises, but as a long-term strategy for managing depression and anxiety I've found it to be more effective more quickly than anything else I've tried (counselling, meditation, yoga etc).

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to the_tea_fairy]

Me too!

[hopelessCause in reply to the_tea_fairy]

I wish my GP had told me about how helpful running is. I even have less physical pain after a run. It's astonishing - and my mental state has improved massively in just a few weeks.

[the_tea_fairy Graduate in reply to hopelessCause]

Yeah me too, I sort of stumbled on it by mistake. The NHS is missing a trick, I think - it's a free and effective antidepressant (and I don't know of another whose side-effects include cardiovascular health and a nice pert bottom!)

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to the_tea_fairy]

I reckon if the NHS provided gait analysis and cut price deals on running shoes, they could slash the budget (or divert it to other areas) and reduce the agonies that so many suffer either physically or mentally. OK, they might need to provide a few more physios, but surely the nation would be happier and healthier.

[jenman1 Graduate]

Hi Jess, C25K is wicked. I am 56 and started running 8 weeks ago, I have 2 more runs to graduation. This programme is awesome, and as far as de stressing I couldn't think of a better way than running. I still have to pinch my self when I can now run for 30 mins.

[Pamchopslim Graduate]

Go for it Jess! Four weeks in and the motivation from achieving something thought unachievable is amazing! It's a clever programme which is a bit like mind over matter. Reading these posts makes you want to go and try it...