[SoHereIam]

I have been seeing my therapist for about 1 year now. I must say that he has really helped me make some valuable progress. I seem to be at the point now that I have to make some of the hardest changes in my life/routine. I feel like I've hit a wall and it's come down to either doing it or just giving up and accepting my life of ever changing emotion and mood swings.

One of the major changes I need to make to to get regular exercise. He's been telling me over and over that if I do this, I will really feel so much better. So I've joined my local activity center and even tried out a session with a personal trainer. As a matter of fact, I've been so sore since then that I haven't been back because I can hardly walk!!

This weekend I plan on sitting down and making myself a detailed schedule of what I will do next week, including time scheduled for exercise. I find this very difficult to do, primarily due to my social anxiety. I also find it extremely difficult to make a schedule and stick to it.

I'm hoping some of you have also encountered this and are able to offer some much needed support. I might add that I am currently in a transition period, trying to sell my business and retiring. I'm actually not retiring as much as I am planning a new venture, turning my creative hobbies into another part-time business.

Have any of you tried this, and did it really make a difference in your well being?
Thanks in advance for sharing with me.

Your caption caught my eye. I'd like to know the answer to this question too. Exercise just exhausts me and hurts the next day.

[Jolisse]

Exercise always makes me feel better not only mentally, but physically too.

[TRNRMOM]

I am a 68 yr.oldfemale,bipolar 2 wit hypomania and no depression; i exercise every day and have been doing cardio, spin classes and lifting weights for over 38 years…i feel it burns off my mania when i work out hard…you hurt if u haven't exercised and have used muscles that u haven't used; my advice is to continue exercising the next day or find a trainer to help you determine ur goals; i cannot imagine not exercising as it's also a social outlet for me and then i come home and require quiet and stability to keep my bipolar in check; i am not an exercise bulimic where i must exercise for hrs. On end but it definitely has so many great benefits and no one believes i am 68 yrs. Old.

[pegasus]

Hello! Yes indeed, exercise has been proven to help depression in particular. They say that depression can be to do with loss and locked away anger. When we exercise we release endophins which release positive feelings and help us to feel better. There are of course other health benefits too. Exercise and Depression: Endorphins, Reducing Stress, and More

The exercise does not have to be strenuous, a half hour walk a day would help. There is more about it in this Psych Central article 3 Ways to Beat Depression Through Exercise | World of Psychology

[Pikku Myy]

I have to stay active with any type of daily exercise.. otherwise bit too hyper here. It truly helps me calm down.. and if I stay on a routine - add sleeping and eating well. I stay a whole lot more balanced. Amazing how much it helps me.

[brainhi]

I like to walk - while listening to music. I like to dance .. find something you like! If you do not like it you will not do it...and then the guilt sets in. It really does make you feel better Good luck.

[animal87]

I find yoga really helps both in the morning and at night. I was really reluctant to try it because I saw it as one of these new age fads and I also get reAlly self conscious trying new things in public.
I found some videos on YouTube that were just a few minutes long to get started. There's loads for different effects (like waking up, exercise, muscle toning and relaxation) I a found some that I liked for beginners that focused more on the physical yoga than all the aligning energys stuff (it's just not my bag) and did them at home with the curtains closed. I've not managed to brave a class yet but I might in the future. I find doing just 10 minutes before I go to bed to relax helps me get to sleep a lot quicker because one of the thing it encourages you to do is clear your mind and that really helps with my anxiety

[x123]

Exercise helps me immensely with depression.

[jacurry243]

If you are physically capable I would absolutely get a bicycle! I deal with my hypomania and depressive symptoms by going out and exerting myself, rain or shine. Sometimes the physically toughest rides offer the most mental benefit! And I'm more of a pianist than an athlete. It has helped and I would say MUCH cheaper than gym memberships, allowing me the option to commute to work, volunteering, or even parties while getting some blood flowing.

Just my opinion, but I'm a huge proponent to exercise for mental stability.

JA

[MargStone]

yes exercise really does help us.

[SoHereIam]

Thanks for all your replies. I did make some progress with my schedule and went to a dance/cardio class this evening. Surprisingly, I wasn't too anxious about it and really enjoyed it. I just have to keep it up now! I'm happy that I can report to my therapist tomorrow that I'm making some progress.

[Dan208]

Lifting weights helps tremendously with my self esteem issues. Since I can't do it every day, I'm looking at some off day alternatives that will be effective too.

[nonightowl]

For me, I do it just cause you are "supposed" to.

It doesn't necessarily boost my mood or energy like it is hyped up to do. Sometimes I end up more tired after working out than before. And I can end up irritable as well, not all cheerful or anything like they say it does for people.

I'd start out slowly and work up to longer and harder workouts. And I agree with finding something that appeals to you. Otherwise, you won't stick to it. And if you overdo it after not exercising for so long, you could end up really SORE and take several days to recouperate from it!

Music helps certainly!

[evahis]

Originally Posted by Jolisse

Exercise always makes me feel better not only mentally, but physically too.

me too!
Try to find what exercise works for you, plus music that you enjoy and that will motivate you helps.

[ColinLarocca]

Exercise is the best way to make your self calm, fit and look young as well.
By doing regular exercise with proper diet will keep you fit and also boost your immune system.

[MoxieDoxie]

I use exercise for mental health. I even wrote this about how I use it. Coach's Mind Eye: Welcome to the Pain Cave?????..Embrace the Suck

[Serzen]

Well until last year I practiced Judo (because of work/study I have gone on and off; today I can't go because of my working hours) and it's one of the most satisfying things I have done in my life. Now I took up running and tomorrow I'll be running my second marathon. I'm dying to go back to Judo but I like running too.

I'm not interested in being an athlete, but sports really help me burn energy. If I don't burn it I become easily irritated and nervous, so they help me a great deal and I like them because I have fun.

[Dx1347]

Gardening. It's exercise and exposure to microbes that apparently affect mental well-being, and you get tomatoes

[Altered Moment]

I think it does and it is proven to help.

I like to get it in sports or work. Working in the construction trades as a plumber my whole life has allowed me to get a lot at work.

For depression it only works for me when I am moderately depressed. When I am in severe I can't get the motivation to do it and even when I do it doesn't help. Just how it is for me.

[-jimi-]

I'm glad it helps everyone. If I do hard physical work or similar it makes my mind race while my body feels bad and tired. Just taking walks can be nice for me but only while I'm walking, afterwards I feel the same as before. When I was at my worst which is now ages ago, I tried to exercise but the mental drain also became a physical drain so walking five minutes felt like pure torture and just going to the bathroom or get a glass of water made my system scream in anguish. For me it was not possible to exercise back then no matter if it had helped.

But I feel even my way of being sick is abnormal like I can't even be sick in the correct way.

[mountain human]

Anything that gets me out of my head is a positive thing. Intense exercise is great for anxiety and depression, but even moderate movements like walking and swimming will work. It causes neurological changes plus the social aspect if you use a gym or group exercise activity.

[MoxieDoxie]

I know exercise does so much and when things are really bad it does not always help afterwards. It keeps my mind busy during exercise. I wrote a blog piece similiar to this issue.
Coach's Mind Eye: Ugh....Do I really have to? Yes, pick one.

Exercise makes me feel soooo much better and more mentally calm/healthy/happy. Endorphins get released during exercise=happier me.

[Hottiedepressed]

Obviously yes!