Exercise vs Medication?

Do you exercise, and does it help with your mental health?

I have exercised in the past and never felt like it was a miracle cure for depression. But then, I was not using it specifically to alleviate mental symptoms.

I am working on putting together a program of daily exercise.

Does anyone have any advice? I thought I would do two sessions daily...one aerobic, and one with weights and resistance bands.

I have no physical limitations except a tight lower back (from tension) that I can loosen up with yoga.

Hello DechanDawa, exercise is an important part of your your mental and physical health. Although I exercise most days through walking or cycling, I need meds to help with my depression, maybe I always will, who knows. What I do know is that your exercise regime must be enjoyable. I enjoy being out in the fresh air and get distracted by nature, which gets me out of my mind at least for a little while. Take the exercise easy until you build up a tolerance to it. There is nothing worse than going all out with exercise, only to find you have pulled a muscle or the like. Enjoy!!

It's not a versus situation; you'll benefit the most by doing both.

I take a bunch of meds, but I also cycle on a recumbent bike for 35 minutes per day.

I cannot function unless I do both.

I agree with this. I have found in my own experience that exercise or physical activity helps me more with anxiety than with depression but there is some crossover between the two.

I walk. For me, it is the best... & at this point... only exercise I do. We have a small dog & I walk him every day... sunshine, clouds, rain, wind, heat, cold, snow, ice... it doesn't matter. We're out there. I've done yoga in the past. But walking has been superior for me. (I'm no longer on med's.)

I suppose I could do both walking & yoga. But since I spend an hour & a half to two hours per day or so walking, I don't want to commit any more of my time than that to exercise. I also do walking meditation... primarily during the night if I can't sleep. Last night I walked for 2 hours in the middle of the night...

I make sure I exercise every day. Like George said, I find that exercise helps more with anxiety than with depression...and it helps only while I'm moving, pretty much. I know that for many people exercise is an amazing treatment for certain mental health issues. It is not magic for me, but somewhat helpful. I think what helps is just doing something.

As for exercise vs. medication, with meds I literally would not be able to exercise. I would be immobilized by depression/anxiety.

I started running a few years ago, and it helped so much. I was already on medications, but I really felt the difference, both with my depression and my anxiety. I ended up taking some time off in the winter, and ever since then, I haven't been able to run. My arches just start hurting so bad. Talked to my GP, a PT, and a running specialist PT, but nothing seems to last for long. I have an appointment with a podiatrist in January, so I'm hoping that I'll be able to get back into running at some point. Until then, I've been trying to do hot yoga to build muscle and flexibility in my feet and ankles. It seems to be helping at least a little.

I miss running. Which is funny cause I hated it

I stopped all my psych meds and started doing yoga daily again sometimes even twice a day. It's not a miracle but neither were the drugs in my opinion, yoga makes me feel good for a very good portion of the day, sometimes the whole day and always immediately

I won't be doing medication and in the past I have never used exercise to create a good mood so I am just waiting to see how all this goes.

I'm sorry, I meant without meds I would literally not be able to exercise.

Why?..................

I feel better physically if I get some exercise in but not mentally. And yes I have a physical illness. If I do something straining I have to do it soon after waking up, if I do it later in the day it will make my head spin like crazy, best case then I can't sleep, worst case I will get anxiety attacks.

my recommendation, eat protein, preceeded by complex carbohydrates, go for a long walk to church or your spiritual practice, then come back the same way, or visit with members for a chat.
or walk or bike away from the hustle and bustle of city traffic and find paths that are out of the way. 'take' a picnic moment along the road to rest up, the walk or bike back.
after that you should feel like you are a new person altogether.

Sandy.

Very nice suggestion. I happen to know it is exactly 2.9 miles to my church. Need to get off my lazy butt, as walking 2.9 miles there and the same back would change my life, and I get church in the middle of the sandwich. What am I waiting for, right?

Speaking for myself here... my anxiety was off the hook and through the roof. I was able to get out and walk a bit w/o anxiety meds but not enough to have a significant effect. Also I should point out that in my case physical activity has a cumulative effect. I didn't feel much from it in the beginning. A week or two should so good results. Part of that is the activity itself releasing endorphins or other good chemicals and part of it is just the positive effect of forcing yourself to do something you really don't want to do.
Oh and yes, as sandworm and (I think it was) skeezyks mentioned, walking and biking are great. Strength or resistance training didn't do much for me, tho calisthenics type activities did... but nothing beats a good walk or long bike ride.

I think exercise helps but could not trump meds, in my case. I wear a FitBit and it tracks my steps.

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