[lenjan]

This one's for all of you who have ever had possibly well-meaning but completely clueless people tell you exercise will magically make your depression, etc disappear.

My family members, who have been dealing with my mental health issues for literally decades, still snip and send me articles about this. I took extraordinary pleasure in emailing this to all of them. (And to a former T who tried to convince me of the same thing.) ;-)

Opposing views welcome -- I've just always found that things like this help "mild" depression, which is not something I've ever had. (It's always been moderate to severe.)
USA Today story

[sanityseeker]

Quoting from the article....

"Irrespective of genes, there's strong evidence that exercise can improve symptoms of depression, says psychologist James Blumenthal of Duke University Medical Center. "I doubt that there's no link between exercise and mood because again and again we've seen that when they become sedentary, people are more likely to get depressed, and becoming active improves mood," says Blumenthal."

I can only relate to my personal experience and I can tell you that for me, (and my depression isn't 'mild').... regular exercise is beneficial to my overall physcial and mental health. They are inter-related.

Just today I was struggling with a meltdown.... in a really bad place.... exhausted from the anxiety that triggered a rapid slide into early signs of depression. Rather than roll over and give into it I pushed myself outside to the park across the street.

I went just to have a swing in the rain and get some distraction relief with some child's play in the park. Having been energized some from the wind and rain in my face I pushed a little harder and started to jog around the field. I didn't get very far because I really was quiet exhausted....but I pushed until I'd raised my heart rate up to help release some 'happy seratonans'(sp?). I came back from the park in better spirits than when I'd gone there. The new energy and clearer head held me up for most of the day and seemed to help me cognitively to focus better than I was able to do before the health break.

I don't get as much regular exercise as I think would benefit me and I hope to improve on that now that spring is in the air. Maybe take up tennis again and start jogging regularly again. At least speed walking or maybe some hiking.

It can't hurt and I can't see how it wouldn't help. When one is physically strong then it will naturally translate into greater mental strength as well.

I really think the Big 3 are important to mental wellness..... sleep, diet and exercise. Without those 3 things being properly managed I think all other treatment becomes a bit of a crap shoot.

Just no way to avoid the importance of good self care.... physical, intellectual, spiritual and emotional. Balanced and in harmony with one another is what makes for a healthy mind, body and spirit. No med can substitute for basic self care. Meds can only enhance what a good diet, a good sleep routine and a good exercise rountine can set as the foundation.

Good luck avoiding exercise....lol.... doubt your article will be convincing to those who think as I do or the Doc I quoted from the article but ya never know. You might just want to give exercise a serious try (if you haven't already) and see for yourself if a regular regiment won't help you with the depression.

That's what I'm going to be more consistant about in the days and weeks ahead. I don't think I was well enough until now to really boost up my exercise level.

For a long while getting out to walk the dog around the block or even in the yard was a major achievement. Between the phobias to leave my house or encounter a stranger or to hear the noise of trucks.... and the fatique so bad that to walk much further than the bathroom was enough to cause me to lean on the wall along the way.... the thought of real exercise was a joke to consider. But I did make myself walk as much as I could just the same. Even if just around my house in my yard a dozen times or so. Just getting outside into nature was uplifting.

Now I can do more so I think it timely to increase the level of exercise in my days. Sure can't hurt and I do believe it helps.

Take good care.... you welcomed opposing views.... you got it... lol.

[Brian37]

I just joined the YMCA.............one workout and I was whipped but I did notice by interacting with different people I realized were all in the same boat so to speak...life is dificult

and yes...I felt the depression seemed to slide away for a time

[Perna]

I hear where you're coming from candybear. Do your relatives exercise? You could counter with that, that they could "keep from" having what you have if they exercised :-)

I have been interested in exercise and genes in the past. My father rowed when he was at the Naval Academy (all midshipmen had to pick a sport to participate in) but none of my brothers or I are athletic. I played field hockey in high school, even went to an expensive summer field hockey training camp, but I hated it the whole time, I always hated running. I only went to camp because my best friend "made me". I was talking to my T and doctor about that, a genetic propensity to "sit" rather than "do".

[splitimage]

I do find exercise helps my mood even when I'm seriously clinically depressed. When I was inpatient this past summer we had the option of going to a gym to work out 3 times a week and we had morning stretching which was optional and a volunteer came in to lead yoga once a week. I did all of these and found it really helpful in my recovery. I discovered that I actually like doing weight training. I've gotten a bit lazy and slacked off on going to the gym, with the lousy weather we're having, but I'm starting seriously to think about getting back to it, because I know I do feel better when I exercise.

splitimage

[surealsupermom]

Hi everyone, I am new here but am sanityseekers pal. Hey there old friend I think I know you....do I?

Have been told to find an exercise program by my doc and everything will magically be cured. I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and ADD. I sort of doubt that everything will clear up but know that exercise could HELP. I am thinking about trying water exercise or Nia. Has anyone heard of that?

As I am new here I would love to connect with anyone here. I am currently struggling with seasonal sadness and need all the positive input I can get. I run a therapeutic intervention group for women with depression so I teach this stuff but it is hard to put into practice for myself for some reason. I guess I isolate a lot and that makes it hard. Thanks for listening.

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by surealsupermom

Hi everyone, I am new here but am sanityseekers pal. Hey there old friend I think I know you....do I?

Have been told to find an exercise program by my doc and everything will magically be cured. I have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and ADD. I sort of doubt that everything will clear up but know that exercise could HELP. I am thinking about trying water exercise or Nia. Has anyone heard of that?

As I am new here I would love to connect with anyone here. I am currently struggling with seasonal sadness and need all the positive input I can get. I run a therapeutic intervention group for women with depression so I teach this stuff but it is hard to put into practice for myself for some reason. I guess I isolate a lot and that makes it hard. Thanks for listening.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
I've read countless articles that say much different. Is it an over all cure - no of course not, but why not make your body strong anways. As we get older, we lose bone and muscle mass, This is is one of the main reasons elderly people fall- they don't have the muscle mass to support their bodies.

There are new studies out that prove regular exercise builds 'new neuro transmitters' in the brain. There's a well known Canadians study where a high school teacher at an Indian Reservation had all her students do daily exercise. There were alot of behavioral and learning disabilities at the school. The students vastly improved is concentration, behavior, and comprehension. Even if it doesn't make the depression better, at least you have a strong body.

Surealsupermom - you've probably heard about light therapy for SAD. Have you tried it? I also recommend having a blood test, to check your Vit D levels. It's now known that Vit D helps with depression and the prevention of some cancers. yes water Aerobics would be a good option for you, since you have fibromyalgia - it's also a good chance to socialize. Best of luck.

[VickiesPath]

Regarding Lynn's post about the neurotransmitters, the neurotransmitters are just chemicals but recent studies indicate that exercise actually causes the neurons themselves to change, and I can't remember the specifics of the article, but they actually grow differently, in a way that's healthier for those of us with mental illnesses.

I cannot do conventional exercise, even walking, because of physical limitations but the more activity I get, the better I feel.

[lynn P.]

Originally Posted by VickiesPath

Regarding Lynn's post about the neurotransmitters, the neurotransmitters are just chemicals but recent studies indicate that exercise actually causes the neurons themselves to change, and I can't remember the specifics of the article, but they actually grow differently, in a way that's healthier for those of us with mental illnesses.

I cannot do conventional exercise, even walking, because of physical limitations but the more activity I get, the better I feel.

Yes Vickie, you're right - it does build new neurons and I forgot to mention that. Would it be possible for you to do 'water aerobics'?? I love your Smiley's playing tennis LOL.

Schadenfreude at a support sight. Hmmm.