Exercise

Yesterday I was feeling as low as I can remember. I was lying in bed at 6pm, in the dark, fully clothed, having eaten very little all day and thinking very negative dispondent thoughts. I'm sure many of you can relate.

Today I went for a run earlier, just a quick jog really and barely more than a mile. I also did some sit-ups. Right now I feel OK. Life seems worth living, the worries I have about work/people/the future seem less intense. Nothing material has changed, but I feel better able to cope.

I know that when I do a bit of exercise I feel better. There is plenty of evidence that aerobic exercise boosts serotonin levels. When I feel depressed it is incredibly hard to get out there and do it, but when I do, it works. It helps me, it contributes to sorting me out.

Can anyone relate to that? Interested in others' views, and I also hope that my post might help someone do the same thing, and feel just a little bit better

Thank you. This was a great post. How long after you exercise do you feel an increased sense of wellness?

Good posting!

Exercise always makes me feel better, but I rarely do it. It sucks that the activities that best combat depression are difficult to do while depressed.

If you would exercise what would you do?

I feel inspired by this post to do a long walk and later on a jog.

Today it started about an hour after finishing my run. As I walked back from the run I was still down (and out of breath - it has been a while) but it cleared an hour or so later.

You're right! I guess that is part of the battle of depression, but if you think about it it is one of the easier battles to win for most people. Most people can do some aerobic exercise if they want to, if they can find the will to do so.

I can totally relate. It was the same with me: yesterday was extremely bad, today I ran 4 miles and the day has been pretty good. It's like night and day. But I have to not be totally down to get myself out the door.

What I think I need is to remember this feeling and what caused it. I probably also need to start reintroducing regular exercise into my life, not for my physical health but my mental health.

Yes. Absolutely! Sometimes I think I am healthier because my fight to have a healthy mind has led me to also have a healthier body.
If I didn't have depression, I wouldn't go running or walking- would just be fine sitting around.

I do bike riding and working out. It always helps me. There are times when I feel like I have to push myself. It's like that more with the working out than with the bike riding. My mind feels clearer and I have fantasies of victory instead of defeats.

I'm really glad all of you get help from exercising. I don't, though.

Is there something that does sometimes ease your symptoms of depression?

All exercise seems to help me, but like a lot of us, I have difficulty starting, especially in the winter. When I practiced Yoga on a regular basis, I found myself in a much more positive frame of mind. I do miss being able to run. I don't know if it helped me or if I was so tired at the end of a run to feel anything. 😊

Have you ever trained for a half marathon? I'm doing that now...

I love this. I am training now for my first race...a half-marathon. Any tips?

I have trained for a half marathon yes, that was almost 10 years ago now. Age is no barrier though, a friend of mine in her 50s did a full marathon last year! I would offer no tips except to suggest you research online where there are lots of expert opinions and guides.

I think for me a campaign of forcing myself to run most days will bring some immediate mental health benefits so I'm going to do that, don't care at this stage about endurance or any of the physical side. Made myself run this morning, just a quick loop like yesterday, but I hope it will perk me up for the day.

I am older than your friend! My doctor gave me the okay to train. Where I live in the US many professional runners come to train, or move here. So there are also a lot of older people running. It is very inspiring. I don't care if I do half walk/half run for the marathon. I just want to participate. Where I live there is no age barrier for exercise. Many bikers and runners here are older because they have the time.

I am training mainly for mental health.

Last Spring I tried to exercise but I was still in a deep, severe depression, and exercise did not help at all. This year finds me in a more resilient state.

So for those who can't exercise I fully understand and wish mental health care and primary care doctors would understand how sometimes it is simply not possible.

But I think if you go out and do it and it brings relief than that's a sign that it is a good time to expand on it. This is the best thread ever! Thank you for starting it.

Well my morning run can't have hurt, but today was a bad day. Back to feeling all the negative thoughts again. I thought I had discovered a wonder cure dammit!!!

Just keep swimming.... just keep swimming....

But keep up the exercise. It might have a cumulative effect. That is what happens with meditation. It takes about 6 months for real relief to kick in. You are just getting back into running. I hope you continue it even when it doesn't bring the relief you crave. Best wishes.

Thanks for your kind words, and sorry to bring some negativity to the thread. It was supposed to be so positive.!

Thank you for sharing, I hope it will be helpful

I've tried gym for 2-3 years.. but I didn't feel any differences, tbh I'm really a hopeless case..

On the contrary, this is a great thread. You are only stating what happened and that's good. It is obvious everyone has such a hard time getting back to exercising. This thread has been getting attention because everyone is interested in this topic.

I also like to hear the truth about it. For example, last Spring exercising actually caused me to have panic attacks. I wasn't mentally ready to tolerate physically exerting myself.

Maybe you could adopt a gentler schedule and incorporate some cross training.

Whatever you do please don't give up.

working out can change your life but like many othters staying motivated is hard going i do chi gong i find it easer to stick with i think you need to find workouts you enjoy doing otherwise you wont stick to it

exercise and healthy moving around is vital for dealing with depression...
and it gets even better when you are also eating healthy....