[bpcyclist]

Just wondering. For me, it is critical to keep my depression under control. I am presently increasing my exercise to try to handle this depression.

How important is it to you? What do you do?

Thanks.

Everyone knows I ride the.bike. I also run now. Trying.

[FluffyDinosaur]

I like to do it to keep healthy, and it gives me something to do to get through the day. Unfortunately I haven't really noticed an anti-depressant effect, except while I'm doing it. And that's only if it's a sport that requires concentration, not something where my mind can wander off like cycling or running.

[fern46]

It is important to me. I am at a healthy weight and fortunate not to have any medical problems other than my crazy brain. (That I know of anyway). I feel like allowing my illness to take that away from me is like losing a major battle. So... I fight.

Exercise makes me feel like I am doing something for myself. It is something only I can control and it makes me feel like I am worth fighting for. My body feels better afterward and it helps to renew my mind, emotions and spirit. It is all connected and it feels great when everything is balanced and flowing properly.

When I first got sick the meds caused weight gain. I was so pissed. I had been through the worst time of my life and now my clothes were tight and I felt gross. I decided to push back. I worked hard and dropped the weight. It felt like I got a piece of myself back and it helped me to heal. It helped me process the shame and fear I was carrying.

[Soupe du jour]

I know that when I exercise regularly I am at my best both physically and mentally. It can be difficult, though, during certain mental states.

I was extremely physically active in my youth. Probably more so than most my age. My exercise of choice was dance. I then had slow downs during periods of my middle age. They did me a lot of harm. Unfortunately, factors sure can make it difficult sometimes. I commiserate with those experiencing them.

Lately, I have been much more physically active again. Not so much with "formal" or planned exercise, but as part of tasks, chores, and errands. I want to get back to formal exercise soon. It has to be a type I like. I am not a gym type. I favor exercise that provides additional pleasures/benefits to many of my senses.

By nature, I am a high energy type. Speedy vs. slow. Boom, boom, boom, boom, DONE! My husband is slow. That is surely why I am losing more weight than him.

I would be lying if I wrote that my medications didn't slow me down a bit. They do. It's for the best.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Soupe du jour

I know that when I exercise regularly I am at my best both physically and mentally. It can be difficult, though, during certain mental states.

I was extremely physically active in my youth. Probably more so than most my age. My exercise of choice was dance. I then had slow downs during periods of my middle age. They did me a lot of harm. Unfortunately, factors sure can make it difficult sometimes. I commiserate with those experiencing them.

Lately, I have been much more physically active again. Not so much with "formal" or planned exercise, but as part of tasks, chores, and errands. I want to get back to formal exercise soon. It has to be a type I like. I am not a gym type. I favor exercise that provides additional pleasures/benefits to many of my senses.

By nature, I am a high energy type. Speedy vs. slow. Boom, boom, boom, boom, DONE! My husband is slow. That is surely why I am losing more weight than him.

I would be lying if I wrote that my medications didn't slow me down a bit. They do. It's for the best.

You bring up an important point. When depressed, my physical and mental capacity to exercise is much reduced compared to when hypo or euthymic. This is rough, as it is when I need to workout most.

[*Beth*]

When I was younger I danced (ballet and modern dance); that was excellent because it gave me smoothness and grace, plus I was able to make use of my natural flexibility.

Some years ago I was weight lifting and absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, at work I caught a very heavy double-pained glass refrigerator door that came off its hinges and tore my rotator cuff. So no more weight lifting. I was also running at that time, so kept that up for a while, but running wasn't my favorite exercise.

For most of my life I was a cyclist, exercise that felt terrific, and one I enjoyed. One day I hit a small pool of oil on the street and took a dive. Broke my front tooth - and was lucky to walk away with only that injury. A few months after that I was hit by a pick-up truck. The driver didn't see me. Again, I was very fortunate because it was a "light" hit. Still, I was beat up and badly bruised.

But, continued to bicycle for many years after those mishaps. About 3 years ago I began to feel anxious about bicycling. I didn't feel that I'd do well if I had another accident. So I sold my bike.

All along I'd done yoga and stretches I had learned in dance classes.

Then my achilles tendon started being painful...and more painful...and eventually excruciatingly painful. So I had surgery and I'm in the process of recuperation now. A very short walk, including down stairs and back up is the order of the day.

So. To answer the question, exercise is very important, because it gives me a feeling of having accomplished something essential. Unfortunately, my mobility is quite limited right now and probably will be for the coming 6 months or so.

[fern46]

Originally Posted by BethRags

When I was younger I danced (ballet and modern dance); that was excellent because it gave me smoothness and grace, plus I was able to make use of my natural flexibility.

Some years ago I was weight lifting and absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, at work I caught a very heavy double-pained glass refrigerator door that came off its hinges and tore my rotator cuff. So no more weight lifting. I was also running at that time, so kept that up for a while, but running wasn't my favorite exercise.

For most of my life I was a cyclist, exercise that felt terrific, and one I enjoyed. One day I hit a small pool of oil on the street and took a dive. Broke my front tooth - and was lucky to walk away with only that injury. A few months after that I was hit by a pick-up truck. The driver didn't see me. Again, I was very fortunate because it was a "light" hit. Still, I was beat up and badly bruised.

But, continued to bicycle for many years after those mishaps. About 3 years ago I began to feel anxious about bicycling. I didn't feel that I'd do well if I had another accident. So I sold my bike.

All along I'd done yoga and stretches I had learned in dance classes.

Then my achilles tendon started being painful...and more painful...and eventually excruciatingly painful. So I had surgery and I'm in the process of recuperation now. A very short walk, including down stairs and back up is the order of the day.

So. To answer the question, exercise is very important, because it gives me a feeling of having accomplished something essential. Unfortunately, my mobility is quite limited right now and probably will be for the coming 6 months or so.

Thanks for sharing Beth! I hate that the cycling accidents became an issue. I can imagine how scary that would be.

If you're ever interested search for limited mobility workouts on YouTube. There are lots of them you can do from a chair and many are foot injury friendly. I have some links saved of a few I like. I have a nagging foot injury that keeps me from doing what I want from time to time. It can be really frustrating.

[Shoe]

I like to ride my bike because I can sometimes enter the flow state where my sense of self sort of fades away until I almost have an accident. Then my sense of self comes comes rushing back. What motivates me to keep riding my bike is I know there is a fat man chasing me and I have to stay ahead of him.
This guy named Andrew Huberman is a really interesting guy to listen to on YouTube. He talks about how physically moving forward can greatly reduce our level of stress. Half a league, half a league, half a league onward.

[*Beth*]

Thanks, bpc! I'll def check those videos out

[Crazy Hitch]

Very! My only exercise is lifting the cookie to my mouth to take a bit and then resting it back down on my lap

[Gabyunbound]

Walking is a huge mood and energy booster for me. If I'm not in an episode, but just feeling mildly down, it can really lift my spirits.

I usually walk fast for at least an hour a day.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Gabyunbound

Walking is a huge mood and energy booster for me. If I'm not in an episode, but just feeling mildly down, it can really lift my spirits.

I usually walk fast for at least an hour a day.

Probably the best exercise ever invented cuz it is so low-impact.

[Nammu]

I used to walk everywhere, if it was only a couple miles it was easier than taking a car and trying to park and definitely faster than the bus. But my back became an issue. I’ve had a spinal fusion but just everyday household chores cause pain. Once the pandemic is over I might join the new ymca and swim in their fancy new pool, I don’t know though because parking is a huge issue and there’s so many kids. And then there’s the issue of having wet hair in winter here, brr.

[swimmingly]

I know this should be. Everyone tells me to make an effort and make it part of my life.

Every time I try the physical pain is just too much. Even starting small. And the worst part of it, is that I feel like a failure which just brought my moods down further.

Sorry to be a Debby Downer.

[nightmoth]

Exercise really helps me. I enjoy vinyasa yoga and spinning. It helps me to work off some anxiety and take time for myself.

I have also noticed that I sleep better on days that I exercise. For me, getting enough sleep is vital in my treatment plan.

I know I need to do more, but very limited in what I can do ( painful body)

[Fuzzybear]

It's helpful sometimes when I remember or make myself exercise

[Tucson]

I think some form of exercise is very important, preferrably outdoors.

[mugwort2]

I use my stairstepper and sometimes while I'm stairstepping I use stretch bands for my arms and upper body ie waist up. I feel I accomplished something and that helps my depressive mood.

[busymomof5]

Lately I have started walking my puppy twice a day and I find it helps my mood.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by busymomof5

Lately I have started walking my puppy twice a day and I find it helps my mood.

Puppy dog!!!!

[daladico]

Exercise is a HUGE part of my mental health. I’ve found it especially helpful when I’m in an agitated state- going for a hard run is the #1 thing that helps. I try to walk a few miles every morning. My goal when depressed is to make myself walk at least 1 mile - which is often a big challenge - but I can tell that it does help. On weekends I try to get at least one good hike in... connecting with nature is so good for my head/heart/soul 💚

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by swimmingly

I know this should be. Everyone tells me to make an effort and make it part of my life.

Every time I try the physical pain is just too much. Even starting small. And the worst part of it, is that I feel like a failure which just brought my moods down further.

Sorry to be a Debby Downer.

I'm right along with you. Even walking is extremely difficult with severe knee arthritis and living on a hill. The only exercise I can do is water exercise, and I can't get to a pool.

[sarahsweets]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

Just wondering. For me, it is critical to keep my depression under control. I am presently increasing my exercise to try to handle this depression.

How important is it to you? What do you do?

Thanks.

Everyone knows I ride the.bike. I also run now. Trying.

I need to exercise more. Logically I know it helps my mood but I have arthritis and it makes me a little gun shy to jump into it. Even though I know movement helps the arthritis.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

I need to exercise more. Logically I know it helps my mood but I have arthritis and it makes me a little gun shy to jump into it. Even though I know movement helps the arthritis.

Even yoga helps me.