don't count the days, make the days count.

While there are many different methods to help combat mental health issues,  we whole heartedly believe that physical exercise is the best thing out there. Alongside a number of effective techniques , we know what a powerful tool using your body to it's full extent, can be for improving your mental health. 

Studies from the University of South Australia have now shown that working out is 1.5x more effective than medication and or cognitive behaviour therapy.

The Lost Ones Foundation are on a mission you remind you what you are capable of. What it means to feel good, to feel confident, strong! To know that you are on the right path and that things will improve, they'll improve because you deem it so. We're here to remind Men how it feels to be inspired and teach them that the power to take back control is right there in their own two hands.

Physical Activity provides an incredible amount of benefits to your physical and mental health, such as:

• The levels of chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, stress hormones and endorphins, change when you exercise. 

• Regular exercise can help you sleep better. And good sleep is crucial to good mental health.

• Physical activity can be an outlet for your frustrations. 

• Exercise can improve your sense of control, coping ability and self-esteem. People who exercise regularly frequently report how good achieving a goal makes them feel.

• Time spent exercising can distract you from negative thoughts and provide opportunities to try new experiences.

• It offers an opportunity to socialize and get social support if you exercise with others.

While the exercise is often only brief, these positive feelings will bleed into your every day life. Just that brief temporary relief from your own mind is enough to spark a more permanent change, giving you more confidence to go out and attack your goals.

Please follow the link below for a more in depth view.

You may have experience in sport and exercise from the past and know how to jump straight back in, or you may be gearing up to start for the first time. Starting something new can always be a bit daunting, but there tons of ways to start getting into exercise. Perceived barriers such as the belief you need to be in a gym constantly to get into shape, stop far too many people from beginning their journey, and simply just aren't true.    

Just using your own body is more than enough to begin with, going for walks or runs, trying out a body weight work out with just a few push ups, squats and sit ups at home. As you progress you may want to try new things such as skipping or using resistance bands to load your muscles, both of which can be bought for less than a tenner. Progress should be slow and steady, only performing what you are comfortable doing and exercises you actually enjoy.

There is a wealth of content across the internet for getting started out with exercising, which will soon include our very own YouTube channel.

Once you've become comfortable with your home workouts, and feel like you're ready to challenge yourself a little more, we highly recommend getting yourself a gym membership. Again this can be daunting to some, especially those suffering from depression and anxiety. But, speaking from experience, gym culture is of the most wholesome that you will find. Everyone who is training in a gym is there for the same reason, self improvement.  To feel better, just like you.

Joining a gym gives you the ability to try a variety of training methods and provide all of the equipment necessary. Whether you're looking to increase strength, lose weight or just tone up a little. Alongside you will develop social connections, all while becoming stronger, fitter, faster.. Happier.

Start out with lighter weights and machines, building strength in your muscles and joints. Find your own path in the gym, some people enjoy powerlifting or bodybuilding, others only enjoy doing more cardiovascular activities like running on the treadmill or using the rowing machine.

Set yourself small, achievable goals. Looking at the big picture constantly can be terrifying, instead, try working towards short term goals. Each individual will have different things they're aiming towards, here a few common goals you might find relate to you:

• Short term: I want to run a mile without stopping in the next month.
• Long term: I want to run a 5k next year.
• Short term: I want to lose 1kg in weight each week.
• Long term: I want to lose 10kg by the end of the year.
• Short term: I want to be able to perform a pull up.
• Long term: I want to do a set of 5 pull ups.

Along with the physical benefits, going to a gym can be a great way to develop a social circle, learning and growing as an individual simultaneously.

Combat Sports such as MMA, Boxing , Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and many more, are an incredible way to improve your mental health.  Dealing with mental health issues is never easy, but it’s a whole lot easier when you have a supportive community around you. Marital Arts gyms are some of the warmest environments we have ever encountered, despite the stereotypes of them being rough.  Learning a martial art is full of challenges, and each time you overcome one of those challenges your self esteem will grow. You will find yourself wanting to push yourself, try new techniques, start sparring and maybe even one day, competing.

Training a combat sport can be as intense or as mild as you choose, no one turns up to a gym and is expected to start scrapping with someone. You will learn techniques, drills and hit pads. Somewhere to channel your emotions and possibly release some pent up anger through pushing yourself mentally and physically.  Then, when you feel comfortable enough you might want to go a few rounds.

Combat sports classes are also a great way to find lifelong friends. Nothing brings you closer than trading shots with the lads in sparring, pushing each other to be better and better every session.

Barriers for entry? You may think you'll need to buy a ton of equipment to get started, luckily, the large majority of Combat Sports gyms will have spare gear you can use. Until decide if you'd like to actually pursue the sport and eventually get some for yourself.

Maybe you work with or know  someone who trains one of these sports that you could tag along with, they'll be ecstatic to take you. If you don't know anyone, just a quick google search should let you know of any gyms nearby and what Martial Art they teach.

There are a variety of different sports that you can easily get involved in. Team sports such as Football or Rugby, these are a brilliant way to get fit and simultaneously make new friends. Doesn't get much better than the banter on the pitch. 

Joining a team to train and maybe compete with, will give you something to look forward to each week. Often mental health problems are made worse when we go week to week with no social activities, so just knowing that you'll be back with lads having a kick about soon might just give you the boost you need. 

There are also sports such as Tennis or Cycling, while these aren't exactly team sports, you will still meet just as many people with the same hobbies and interests. Socializing and getting fitter at the same time, improving your skills in a sport over time can give you a sense of pride and accomplishment. Putting in the work and seeing it pay off is an immense feeling.

Competition is a healthy thing for men. With healthy competition, there is no conflict with values like honesty, integrity, and dependability. Healthy competition allows you to push off the efforts of others, to make yourself stronger, to improve so you can become better.