[mom2trips+1]

I have been exercising for the last few days and my depression has lifted slightly. Anyone out there who considers themselves "stable," do you exercise? I know it is always recommended by my pdoc and t but it's always a struggle to get started. But if I keep feeling better, I may just keep it up (for once.)

Just curious if those endorphins really do help.

[BastetsMuse]

I walk. Yes I notice improvement when I get out and actually DO things with my body as opposed to being the couch potato that I sometimes become. Those endorphins and other chemicals the body releases during exercises really do help.

[Mountainbard]

When I am stable I love to walk, and it does improve my mood. Currently I'm into a long depression and haven't walked in forever. Kudos to you for getting started. I hope you can keep it up.

yes... definitely... did today, and couldnt help, even after the "runners high," feeling good through the day...

when i was little, i never was the type to go out much.... but the more i tried exercise, and failed and tried again (lol), the more i couldnt imagine going without it... literally, i would feel "off" or cranky or something without at least having a nice walk... although i prefer doing the treadmill for AT LEAST 30 min as much as i can handle a week... and if im having an off day, i dont focus on beating myself down about it and just make sure to do it the next time or next day... meaning, ill remind myself continuously, making it something i take as serious as breakfast and oxygen...

overall i feel like im actually doing something, exactly like bastetsmuse says. that right there really makes me feel much better, let alone the obvious release i get out of the exercise...

physically, it makes full sense that it helps... mentally, it takes some effort to see it helps...

EDIT: music helps btw!... like... A LOT... for the most part... preferably, i think, finding one single album or playlist to motivate u through it... listening to it repeatedly, i feel, gives a "routine" mentality, which can help reinforce the habit... can help u space out, forget that its a workout, and let urself into the moment...

[touched by fire]

Yes and Yes.

The problem lies when I have no motivation or too much BS going on and I start making excuses as to why *I can't*.

Have my mountain bike with me today at work... haven't ridden it in 3 weeks... I need to badly

[gina_re]

Originally Posted by touched by fire

Yes and Yes.

The problem lies when I have no motivation or too much BS going on and I start making excuses as to why *I can't*.

Have my mountain bike with me today at work... haven't ridden it in 3 weeks... I need to badly

My pdoc tells me I should, but my meds have me so tired, I'd rather lay on the couch with an excuse. I know it's not right, but it's hard habit to break. In the past, however, once I do start exercising, I keep going and I feel great.

The benefits of Exercise varies for each person, some find it does help.

It can help me in mild depression but in the low lows I pushed myself and end up worse.

[Captainc]

I think it would be good if your sleeping good and getting rest. A lot of the time I go go go and need rest more then exercise

[secretgalaxy]

My dog and I bike around 5-15 miles a day and then I bike 5-10 more without my pup. I also do walks and exercise videos. I have noticed that when depressed I have to get out more, or else I am super cranky with my family and can start fights. I usually bike or walk to my favorite site and just sit there and calm myself down (my depressions are more angry than sad or tired). When manic I triple the amount I am doing and am very consistent (biking at 6 AM every day), while when depressed, I allow myself rest days and usually do it at a later time. When stable, I usually am more consistent but am not super focused on it like I am when manic.

If I do not get enough exercise, then I get angry outbursts for small reasons and everyone suffers. So I make sure get my exercise most days.

[Nammu]

When I'm stable I'm more likely to exercise, so egg or chicken for me.

[fishin fool]

I know for sure it helps me but I must admit these last couple of years I have
found it very very hard to get started and keep at it. I have never sat on the couch
so much in my life. I need to get moving again.

[Rebound]

Originally Posted by touched by fire

Yes and Yes.

The problem lies when I have no motivation or too much BS going on and I start making excuses as to why *I can't*.

Have my mountain bike with me today at work... haven't ridden it in 3 weeks... I need to badly

That's it; there is absolutely no doubt that the single best thing you can do for your mental healthis physical exercise. The problem is keeping to any sort of regimen or schedule. I get side tracked too easily, even from 1 minute to the next. I tell myself I must exercise before I shower in the morning and then hop right in and forget all about the exercise.

It drives me off the deep end since, like I said, there is 0 doubt - it's the best thing you can do to help yourself, whether it's depression or anxiety or really pretty much any symptom of mental distress.