Taking it one step at a time

Lydia shares how stress turned her world upside down — and how putting on her trainers became the small act that changed everything.

In 2024, everything felt like it came crashing down at once. I had some sudden life changes and suddenly there was panic, stress, and a constant feeling of being completely out of control. One day, with no plan and no real thought behind it, I put on my trainers, got out the door, and just ran.

Pretty quickly, I realised there were only two things I needed to focus on while running: putting one foot in front of the other and remembering to breathe. For the first time in a long time, my mind went quiet. The overthinking paused. The darker thoughts softened, even if only for a little bit - and that relief meant everything.

Running became the one place my head felt clear. It gave me something healthy to turn to instead of escaping in ways that didn't serve me. Along the way, it also brought people into my life, new faces and old friends too, all navigating their own mental & physical health journeys. Together, we hold each other accountable, complain about not wanting to run, do it anyway, and remind each other how proud we are once it's done.

Running doesn't fix everything, but it creates a safe space. It brings clarity, builds resilience, and forces you to show up for yourself on the days you don't feel worthy. As cheesy as it sounds, running didn't just change my routine - it changed how I cope, and in many ways, it saved my life.

I’ve now ran my first two 10K races and have a half marathon coming up this year. If I’d met myself a few years ago, I’d never believe it. The great thing about running is it really is for everyone – no matter how fast or slow you go, we all finish at the same distance, having achieved something amazing!

If I can give anyone navigating stress or change in their life any advice, it’s put your trainers on, get out the door, and just run.

Co‑op, we’re here to support your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Running was the thing that helped Lydia most — but everyone’s different, and there’s no single “right” way to look after yourself. If movement helps you manage stress, we have benefits that make it easier to build activity into your day, including gym discounts, Cycle to Work, and a range of other wellbeing offers. And if you need support in other areas of your life, you can access free, confidential help at any time.

If you’re a Co‑op colleague, visit our Wellbeing Hub to explore all the support available to you.