Being depressed can leave you feeling low in energy, which might put you off being more active.

Regular exercise can boost your mood if you have depression and has be of benefit to many of my clients including myself.

Below is an article I wrote almost a year ago, its when I was going in to deep depression and I felt there was no way out. After this article I started to give up on everything including my marriage, my family and my business. But 11 months later I am in a better place with a new home, a rekindled relationship with my partner, an already thriving growing business and a grandchild on the way.

I look back an ask how I managed to get to a better place, NOT back to normal as there is no normality in my life, just chapters whether turbulent or not they make me the person I am.

One thing I learned in my recovery stage is that I had to help myself as no one else would do that for me, it was a decision I had to make pretty damn fast and I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself because time was running out, that feeling of no control, darkness, anxiety etc was overwhelming and taking over my life. Decisions were always rash through this stage however I had a plan, I wrote it down and I regained control!

For me fitness in the gym was a sanctuary, it was my time for me, my time to feel good, my time to acknowledge me and accept me at that very time. Its benefits would stay with me for the rest of the day therefore training was a daily event which I still do however this wasn’t just the answer as I needed therapy from one of the best in Colchester.

Having approached many agencies in request of help for therapy etc I realized the waiting list was just to long therefore I funded this myself and was the best spend ever. To many people are reluctant to look after themselves but since recovery I make a point of caring for me, I no longer worry about the future or past, I no longer waste my energy or time on things or people that have no direct benefit to my profession or life! Time is precious and is just to valuable for me to sit around over analyzing the future as today is the day that I need to enjoy and learn from. I learned a lot from therapy and realized that many of the situations that had been presented to me through my life were not a direct result of my actions and that I needed to understand that and move forward from it.

Low mood, depression, anxiety got me and stayed for a while but with my strength, partner, therapy and the gym I improved my life even from what it used to be and I am truly proud of myself for this.

Relapse is my fear but as I said, why worry? let each day pass by and I will deal with what ever arises positively or negatively as I am in control!

Take a look at last years article as I can prove that there is an end goal and that it can be better in the end.

PERSONAL TRAINER ANDY CIARAVELLA

ITS NOT JUST ABOUT PHYSICAL HEALTH

LETS NOT FORGET MENTAL HEALTH

REAL PEOPLE REAL RESULTS

OCTOBER 2016

Hey and hope you are all great. I am not going to beat around bush I will dive straight in and get this out there because I don’t want to portray that I have a perfect life because I don’t and I never will but then again what is perfect?

Since retiring from the Armed Forces in November 2013 I have been a busy lad juggling study, family life, growing and demanding children and establishing an awesome business as a 1-1 personal training coach and boot camp instructor, Stabilis Fitness that I am in love with and have so much energy for.

My journey with my business was tough, as I had just retired from a very close-knit career that spanned across 22 years however the true reality of leaving the forces and that support hit me pretty damn hard as everything I once knew was gone and I mean gone as I was just that number in an organization that seen people leave everyday.

Challenging times with my own personal life, death of my children’s mother and the loss of friends who were killed in action took its toll but I assumed I had dealt with that and continued to move forward with a positive outlook.

This huge world that I had come out too was not going to help me and absolutely nothing was just going to land on my lap. Hard work, drive and determination is what gets you to any place and that’s with everything including mental health however I was avoiding that whilst I focused on everything else.

For three years I have been helping people move forward in a positive manner-improving individuals lives in all areas, working with their mental and physical barriers. My approach is holistic and focuses on physical, dietary, postural and mental well being

I initially started with 1 person to now having over 70 people a week who I spend time with. All clients have their own amazing story and challenges to overcome which is just awesome and having worked with over 300 people so far since starting I think I have done remarkably well.

Throughout the last 10 years since traumatic events, I have been up and down with my mental health and managed in my own way. When I feel an episode coming on I take myself off to the cleaning cupboard at the gym, my heart racing and the sudden deep breaths take over. Henry the hoover became my seat, my hands on my head and I sobbed but this lasted a few minutes because I focused on the positives and looked forward to my next client.

I have spent time with counselors on more than one occasion then I write it off and assume I am all-good even after my partner is advising that I must continue to help myself as well as others. My stubbornness got in the way and I told myself that I was ok and due to my uncertainty with my mental health and my sudden changes in mood I even at one point tried to throw away my relationship with my partner just because I thought he would be better off without me. I hate who I am in that very short period of what I can describe as being taken over by something else because it isn’t me, it isn’t what I am about but again avoidance was on the agenda.

Since starting my new career the gym has become my savior; my clients have become my focus. Helping people in need is a good and essential part of my life and I will continue to do my good work as long as I have a breath in my body but I wasn’t looking after myself because I was still in denial and not accepting there was anything wrong.

I know we all have bad days and man I have had a fair few. I also have amazing days and enjoy life to its max. I have a great partner who does everything for me from cooking all meals, works a full time professional job, and looks after the house and allotment. However I truly haven’t shown my appreciation even though I wouldn’t have got here without him. (Thanks Olly)

Just over a week ago I was working as normal, planning a trip to Dublin and organizing a birthday party for my 43^rd (OMG how did that come about so fast?) But suddenly I started to visit the cleaning cupboard and it was becoming more frequent. Panic attacks were on the rise and I can truly say I have never felt like this ever and it was scaring me. My problem is I was afraid to open up, I felt weak, I felt embarrassed so I carried on but unfortunately as much as I tried to continue my mind and body would not allow this.

I cancelled Dublin as the pressure of going was just too much. I started deleting everything that was placing pressure on me. Things such as texts messages, phone calls, emails and everyday life became harder. I started to shake daily, I felt like I wasn’t in my body. The final straw was when simple things like not remembering where my phone and keys were and even where I parked my car.  I even had a melt down in front of a client, this was pushing it to far and I started to accept that something clearly wasn’t right.

My cry for help was to talk to people, this slightly helped but no matter what I tried, the overwhelming feeling of anxiety took over. Groups of people became to much, and even walking down the street was a challenge and all this has been in the last week! I even started opening to my clients, I believe this is very important, as there are to many personal trainers out there who are far from being real people.

Yesterday I decided to take action, to listen to what my body was telling me and cleared my diary for next week. I have booked a week away with my partner, am in the process of getting therapy up and running again. I still had one huge challenge to overcome before I could start on the road of acceptance and that was to attend my 43^rd birthday party.

With guests travelling from around the country and Germany I wasn’t about to cancel but remember I said I was not good around crowds. The anxiety was present all day and when I walked in to the venue my heart sank. The evening was tough as people wanted to say hi, friends were jumping around, grabbing me, laughing etc but I was a mess, spinning and feeling vulnerable.  I couldn,t cope so I kept walking out to get air. That’s now over and I thank all for attending but I just wasn’t myself I am afraid.

The point from all this is that today the 22^nd October 2016 is that mental health affects many people and is affecting me. I suffer with mental health; it is a part of me and between my partner, family and I will move forward and be ready for the next challenge.

One thing I will say is that my clients are just bloody awesome as they really understanding. It was difficult clearing my diary as I felt like I was letting everyone down but I must remember I cant help others if I don’t help myself.

Mental health is an illness that many have and just because I look ok on the outside please just remember and this goes for everyone who suffers we are feeling it on the inside and it hurts badly.