Continuing the Fun in Recovery: Movement, Food, and Community
Mental health struggles can feel isolating, but navigating them doesn't mean joyful things have to pause.
This article was originally written for University of Alberta by Gurleen. Gurleen (she/her) is an outgoing, friendly and proactive Canadian-Sikh student with Kashmiri roots. She enjoys our city's vibrant community and brings energy and enthusiasm to everything she does. She loves playing volleyball, badminton and DIYs her projects. Gurleen is in her fourth year of psychology and is a passionate mental health advocate. Her goal is to help cultivate resilient communities for students who remain courageous during times of struggle. You'll often find Gurleen out in nature or browsing various cozy spots near cafés on and off campus.
Disclaimer: This article shares a student's personal perspective and community resources; it is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Mental distress isn't a life sentence... and recovery is fun too
I stood out quite a bit. It was scary and confusing at times—I couldn't understand inferences for humour, I laughed too squeakily loud, I hid my twitchy muscles and felt left out because I would hesitate to ask questions.
Of the people I connect with, the majority are loud and “twitchy”—they accept their ways while managing life priorities in their best interests.
Back when I experienced a brief dissociation at peak stress and grief of changing life circumstances, it was a strange time. It seemed to have changed how I spoke, communicated and understood things.
Once I started to move past the false idea of “I'm damaged and need fixing,” I supported myself, and I'm here to share that some people understand this, too.
I'm going to share fun ideas on ways you can engage with yourself and goals. If it gets a bit scary or difficult, that's not unheard of. You deserve to continue towards your goals regardless; it's only natural.
There isn't a single person, including the experts, professionals, friends, dads, brothers and people from many walks of life, who hasn't managed some disabling impact of an illness or isn't evolving through life changes.
Dealing with mental distress or disabling circumstances might also require you to adapt, problem solve and prioritize accordingly. So, if a friend, belief or support system helps you see through the scary part of it, then take that to your advantage.
1. Combine physical activity with social presence
| Life examples |
Benefits |
| I continued sharing my solo health progress with friends. |
- We shared accountability and fun by keeping each other updated with exciting, boring, funny or grieving moments.
- We collaboratively celebrate goals.
|
| I remain dedicated and spontaneous despite evolving contexts. |
- I foster social connection.
|
| I continued spontaneity and used that to drop myself in the middle of places I was somewhat nervous about—with no escape. |
|
| I showed up to random bouldering places, and it was either I face my social anxiety of a gym space or miss out on the fun of climbing. |
- I have more adventures.
- I face my fears.
- I have a collection of random, eventful, enjoyable experiences.
|
Here are some places to find free or low-cost support for physical activities and/or social presence:
2. Invest in nutrition and diet
A healthy relationship with your physical body helps with clarity in thinking, improves decision-making and increases awareness (said a couple of physicians).
| Life examples |
Benefits |
| I always keep a habit of cooking the most flavorful and healthy meals. |
- I can’t force myself to eat things that don’t sit well with my body or have no appealing plating and colours.
- If it’s not a choice I’m making with a smile, it’s always unhealthy to make myself go through suffering.
|
| I follow vegan or vegetarian pages on social media from all cuisine types to understand how to work with the flavour of nuts and greens, since they can taste grassy and unappealing when not cooked intentionally. |
- I cook most of my meals, very flavorfully, with nuts or greens too.
|
| Understanding time-restricted eating helped me work with the body’s natural state of being in fasting. |
- I did so by gaining more clarity on the role of hormones and digestion and how they interact with my sleep cycle.
|
| I’ve always loved waking up early, so I developed an understanding of meal timing and circadian rhythms to enjoy sunrises every day. |
- Aligned meal timing with natural circadian rhythms.
|
Here are the sources and links I used for engaging in nutrition and cognitive functioning:
If you're looking for more support and finding your ground in shared spaces, feel free to reach out to friends or even strangers who get it. You deserve to be celebrated on all paths in your journeys!
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