Exercise advice

Are you ever able to exercise when depressed.All professionals suggest exercise to be a remedy for depression but I am unable to do it when depressed. Has anyone done it successfully??

Yep. I pole dance and it helps huge when I'm depressed. I can't focus on anything but what I'm doing so it gives me a mental break. Its not always easy to get myself to go to class or practice on my home pole, but I know how good it makes me feel so I force myself.

Yes, unless I'm having a really bad day. Honestly once you do it enough, it becomes a habit and an automatic thing like showering or going to work. It really helps with my mood and having experienced those benefits, I exercise even on the days where there is little motivation because it is an automatic, guaranteed anti-depressant for me. Sometimes you will have to literally force yourself to get moving, and that's ok.

If you are not a regular exerciser and feel overwhelmed you could always start with something as little as 5 minutes, and just try adding in 5 minute blocks of activity into your day.

It always helps for me. I feel much better after it's done. There had been times when I didn't feel much better after it was done. I have hurt myself before when I worked out and felt very depressed. It's important to concentrate while doing it.

I will say that depression is really bad when I exercise and get hurt, like what happened to me tonight. I posted that on the Daily Check In. I'm trying to figure out what I did wrong. I had always done it the same way for years. I had some anxiety going into my workout a little bit. Perhaps that could have caused it.

Even I am having a back pain specially in the pelvic region since today morn.

Exercise while depressed is hard. I tell myself that even ten minutes will do wonders for how productive and clearheaded I feel at the end of the day.

When I'm deeply depressed, I don't. But most of the time, I'm not depressed enough to give up my routines. Sometimes the only time I get out there is once or twice a week when I'm meeting some other people. The obligation to others gets me there.

When I exercise, I feel a lot better- all those really good endorphins.

Yes, I finally developed the habit.

I always hated exercise. But early this year I was so depressed I was in extreme emotional pain. I was willing to do anything to alleviate that. Even exercise. I somehow dragged myself to an easy exercise class. It helped.

I eventually worked up to two classes a week and started doing stuff at home. It does get you out of your head if it's vigorous or distracting enough. And I always feel better afterwards too.

Frankly, after a time, I was afraid of how I'd feel if I stopped. Which maybe isn't the best motivation. The classes are an external motivation that really keeps me going. Also, I'd recommend the old proverb, "Thinking about it is so much harder than doing it." When I dread having to start, I try not to think about it and just begin.

I guess it also helps that on days when I'm frustrated with my inability to do CBT/DBT/ACT mental gymnastics, I can at least move my feet. They seem to do what they are told, unlike my feelings.

You'll have to start gradually in order for it to work.
Walks have always been my favorite - you can do them anywhere at any time!
Then you can slowly start by going to the GYM although you don't have to. You can also exercise at home or outside, plenty of ways.
Cardio is the primary exercise branch for health. Weightlifting should start out and progress gradually, as over-lifting can intensify depression due to exhaustion of the body. But it's up to us to experiment, as other elements such as medication and diet are involved in the results.