We interviewed Eloise Skinner, fitness instructor, author and psychotherapist to get the lowdown on the connection between exercise and mental health.
Can you please introduce yourself and provide an overview of your experience in the fitness and mental health well-being field, especially in working with women?
I am a qualified fitness instructor and psychotherapist, working with hundreds of clients to achieve mental and physical wellbeing. I’m also an author, with a few books on finding meaning, purpose and overall wellness in life! Website is www.eloiseskinner.com
What inspired you to focus on the intersection of fitness and mental well-being, particularly for women?
I’ve always been interested in the integration of the mind and body – I strongly believe in the power of a wellness routine that addresses the ‘whole’ self. In other words, I think wellness is most effective when it takes a holistic approach: when it incorporates support for the mind, body, relationships, community and connection to the world around us.
How does mental well-being intersect with nutritional choices and physical fitness? What role does stress play in achieving women’s fitness goals?
Stress can be a huge factor when it comes to considering our overall wellbeing. We live in a world that encourages a fast-paced, relentless lifestyle – and our lives are full of technology, notifications and never-ending to-do lists. We can often find ourselves living with an ongoing sense of stress – and after a while, we might even start to adjust to it. This is one reason why it’s so important to incorp