WHEN Aron Adams, a kick boxer and fitness instructor from Southampton found himself battling with depression and anxiety, he turned to his own experience to help himself.

The father of three from Shirley says that he didn't feel comfortable with a talking therapy, such as counselling, and didn't want to take anti-depressants.

So he came up with his own regime, combining exercise with visualisation, to train his way to better mental health.

"I didn't want to carry on suffering in silence," says the 30-year-old.

"It started in about 2010. Me being a macho guy, didn't want to say that I felt low at times and that certain situations made me anxious.

"Sometimes I didn't want to get out of bed but I had to because of my kids.

"I always seemed happy but I was just keeping it bottled up. I have always been the person who helps other people out and i didn't want others to have to help me.

"I experienced anxiety in all sorts of everyday situations," he continues.

"For instance, if I took my kids to WestQuay and it was busy, I'd feel really panicky and start having a hot flush and get nervous for no reason.

"Or, if was on the phone in my office, I'd suddenly start feeling panicky and sweaty for no reason."

Aron had studied for a diploma in mental health and began to combine his studies with his fitness training and experience, in an effort to help himself.

While he was training at the gym, he began to use visualisation techniques, to help lift his mood.

For example, if he was running, he might imagine that he was running up a hill, which represented feeling more positive the higher he got, or he would picture himself being happy and successful in different aspects of his life.

"I started to notice that I was feeling better," he says.

"I had more confidence to do things and my anxiety began to fade. I realised it was about nothing.

"It took about three months for me to notice a change in myself and starting to feel ok in situations that would have caused me a lot of anxiety before."

Aron is now running classes, to share his techniques with others.

He has created a six-week one-to-one programme, called Mentfittz, which combines visualisation techniques with exercise drills and can be tailored to clients' personal needs.

"It's an alternative physical option for clients who want to try something different to lower their symptoms of mild anxiety or depression," says Aron, who emphasises that he would never encourage clients to stop therapy or come off of their medication, and would encourage anyone experiencing anxiety or depression to see their own doctor.

"Exercise can improve your mental health and wellbeing," he adds.

"Lots of people would love to exercise but don't feel comfortable going to the gym because of their anxiety, maybe because of being round other people or their body image.

"We often work out of wellness centres, so it's a different environment.

"It's also an alternative for clients who want to get fit without the hustle and bustle of a busy gym."