Not all movement feels the same when you’re overwhelmed. Some workouts can feel… well, a bit too much.

Personally, the last thing I want to do is a HIIT class when my brain is already short-circuiting. Other forms of movement and meditation though, can feel just like a warm hug that you just really needed.

For me, mental fitness is every bit as important as physical fitness — and as we all know, the two are deeply intertwined.

For the last week, I’ve been trying out the Mental Health Fit Check series available to subscribers on Mamamia’s MOVE app. The series was created by Mamamia and brought to you by Medibank as part of their commitment to supporting the wellbeing of all Australians.

The series is all about looking after your overall wellbeing, encouraging you to check in with your mind as much as your body. It offers different ways to move depending on how you’re feeling and how much time you have.

Lately, I’ve been feeling unmotivated after a holiday, and with multiple projects on the go, I’ve really needed something that helps me pause amidst the chaos and carve out a little time for myself that actually feels good.

So here are the five exercises I’ve been absolutely loving.

Short bursts of cardio.

I’ve never really been a cardio girl, but every so often I flirt with running. I have never been consistent, mainly because it is just so hard, which makes me dread it.

I loathe being out of breath, which is why it remains my least favourite form of movement. And yet, infuriatingly, it’s also the one that leaves me feeling the best afterwards.

This is why the 15-minute sweat session and the 10-minute bodyweight cardio sessions have completely transformed my relationship with cardio. It is enough to get my heart rate up without veering into full-on struggle street.

Breathwork and mediation.

Meditation and breathwork are exactly what my mind needs.

Am I terrible at meditation? Absolutely. Does it matter? Not at all. After a week of doing it every day, I can genuinely feel a little more space and calm in my head, and honestly, that’s worth it.

I’ve been loving the four-minute gratitude meditation in the evenings — such a tiny, simple practice, but it’s a lovely reminder of just how fortunate I am and how much I have to be grateful for. It’s so easy to get sucked into toxic thought patterns, and this really pulls me out.

Another one I’ve been loving for winding down is the deep rest and relaxation session — it’s perfect for getting my mind ready for bed, because as a hyper, screen-addicted girl, I need all the help I can get.

Pilates for posture.

I have terrible posture — I blame my desk job and spending too much time looking down at my phone.

After a long day at the office, sometimes all I crave is a good stretch — and as a bonus, it’s a great way to decompress after work. Lately, the 10-minute posture pilates has been my go-to.

These bite-sized sessions can slip into even the busiest day — and I can already imagine this pilates session becoming a fixture in my routine.

Strength workouts at home.

Strength has always been my favourite way to move.

I love the feeling of being strong in my body, and the satisfaction of seeing progress in how much my body can lift and do when I am consistent. Plus, the rewards in my everyday life are tangible, I can haul so many grocery bags into my apartment now!

I don’t always feel up for a full-on, hour-long gym session, especially once you factor in commuting to the gym, so lately I’ve been doing one of the 15-minute or 30-minute workouts at home in the evenings. They slot perfectly between cooking, winding down and going to sleep at 9:30pm (I’m a nanna, I know).

A yoga session.

I’ve been wanting to weave yoga back into my routine for a while, but adding a studio membership on top of my gym membership felt a little too expensive. This has been such a great way to reconnect with a form of exercise I love — one that leaves my body feeling strong and my mind calm ahead of a busy day.

And I’ve been really enjoying the balance it brings. It’s calming, yet still gets me working up a little sweat while stretching and strengthening all at once. I’ve even started waking up a bit earlier to fit in a session before work. Most are under 30 minutes, and it’s such a lovely way to start the day.

A little ritual I’ve been loving is lighting a yummy smelling candle while I do one of the workouts — it makes the whole thing feel even more calming and almost like I’m in a proper studio.

After spending a week doing the series, I can happily say I loved it. The combination of physical workouts and mindful exercises has been amazing, especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed or just plain busy.

All the sessions left me feeling calmer, more energised and accomplished, a reminder that taking a little time for yourself, even on the busiest of days, can make a noticeable difference to your overall wellbeing.