Did exercise really help you?

[android]

I don't understand people who say stuff like this.

Is it just shallow sadness that they're dealing with?

I work out and certainly feel the endorphins, but it doesn't change the fact that the feelings will come back within a few hours. Unless you're exercising everyday, all the time, I don't get it. I also feel like the same could be said for any other hormone-releasing activity that people are into: sex, drugs, masturbation, alcohol, porn.

Exercise is good and has none of the downsides of those other activities, but it's just cheap hormones. It doesn't structurally change the way you think or see the world/your life.

That's my take at least, what do you guys think?

 

[enough of this]

It used to. But then I hurt myself exercising and had to stop. I'll return to it when I'm more healed.

 

[Xi-Xi]

Short answer: kinda

Longer but still short answer: excersise by nature produces dopamine, at least more so than just sitting around, but I personally didn't feel much of a difference. I feel excersise was just an excuse for the neurodivergently blind to dismiss us with

 

[ForestGhost]

In the short term, it definitely helps relieve anxiety for me. Depression less so. After a few hours any benefits wear off.

 

[NutOrat]

Just thinking that I have to wake up early tomorrow and go to the gym with my brother at 4 degrees celsius is enough to make me want to die right now.

 

[Manaaja]

Do you ask "Why do people eat food? I once ate a rotten frozen salad and didn't like it"

Just like you can't eat just whatever metal you see on table, you can't just exercise in whatever way. Find a way that works for you. Maybe it's 20 seconds jumping jacks on Monday, maybe it's 5 squats, maybe it's 5 hours of every kind of sports. Maybe it's once a week, maybe it's 5 times every day. Maybe it's in the night, maybe in the middle of the day. Maybe it's in your bathroom, maybe it's in the park. Maybe it's outside, maybe it's inside. Maybe it's while watching Pocahontas, maybe it's while listening to music, maybe it's in complete silence with eyes closed.

 

[fromange]

I get what you mean, because when I did exercise I was busy at that moment but it still didn't help. But I realized how much it was doing once I stopped because I felt a lot worse. And honestly it's kinda chicken or egg because did I feel worse because I stopped or did I stop because I started feeling worse. Who really knows. That goes into free will. I say if you are in that routine definitely try to stick to it. What's the other option anyways right.

 

[Vlad Tepes]

I wish my problems were limited to the point where stuff like this would make me feel better. If youre as thoroughly broken, spiritually ravaged, and scarred as I am, then no amount of exercising or sunlight or what have you is really gonna help in the long run. I guess the cherry on top is that my severe physical disabilities prevent me from exercising, lol.

 

[android]

Do you ask "Why do people eat food? I once ate a rotten frozen salad and didn't like it"

Just like you can't eat just whatever metal you see on table, you can't just exercise in whatever way. Find a way that works for you. Maybe it's 20 seconds jumping jacks on Monday, maybe it's 5 squats, maybe it's 5 hours of every kind of sports. Maybe it's once a week, maybe it's 5 times every day. Maybe it's in the night, maybe in the middle of the day. Maybe it's in your bathroom, maybe it's in the park. Maybe it's outside, maybe it's inside. Maybe it's while watching Pocahontas, maybe it's while listening to music, maybe it's in complete silence with eyes closed.

Good point
I do feel like if there's any exercise that's helped me a lot, it's walking
When I'm on the edge, I walk around my city for 3-5 hours
Usually come home tired. It helps, I think, because you have to pay attention to your feet and your surroundings, so it let's the thoughts be there but forces you to also be aware of your environment

Walking is great and far superior to gym for mental wellness I think

I get what you mean, because when I did exercise I was busy at that moment but it still didn't help. But I realized how much it was doing once I stopped because I felt a lot worse. And honestly it's kinda chicken or egg because did I feel worse because I stopped or did I stop because I started feeling worse. Who really knows. That goes into free will. I say if you are in that routine definitely try to stick to it. What's the other option anyways right.

Yeah i felt this at some point too. I think generally when we can get ourselves to exercise, we are in a better place, so thus more likely to feel better

Just thinking that I have to wake up early tomorrow and go to the gym with my brother at 4 degrees celsius is enough to make me want to die right now.

It sucks in the cold... espefially if you have to go in shorts or something. Nice thst your brother goes with you.

I do think that going to the gym dan change your life, especially if you are short and feel ignored by women (which to me is a surface level issue but I know that it drives many incels to suicide)

 

[MapleS]

yes.

 

[nocatwaslost]

For me it helps because I am immersed in the activity and forget all the worries and problems for the amount of time I am invested in the sport. So short term it definitely does help me and I also think overall because I make progress, feel fit and engage socially. But of course as you said it does not change the overall situation....

 

[FoxSauce]

Well its been poven that improves the body and mind.

Did it make my depression go away? No
Did it made me happier ? Somewhat but not sunshines and rainbows.

Is not a full on cure but it can help making my day go faster or keep my mind busy. Is just how I cope.

Theres time I've workouted out while crying cuz I wasnt feeling all good ( please dont try this if you feel REALLY bad)

So futhermore, is not a cure hit can help in the short term.

You don't have to go running you can do any physical activity for like 20 or 15 and done

 

[wh0arewe123]

I did a lot of things that people say to do when depressed (wake up early, exercise, join a club, eat healthier, walk, etc.) and I still agree what you stated.

My favorite way to trick the chemicals in my brain was using a motorcycle. I don't know the science behind it but I found it similar to exercising but less controlled and probably more adrenaline.

 

[derekWest]

I go swimming everyday (or almost) and it help me a lot ! I exit the swimming pool better than when I enter.
.
But obviously it is not sufficient by itself. I try also to eat safely.

It take lot of time to see results. Patience is fundamental.

 

[FoxSauce]

I go swimming everyday (or almost) and it help me a lot ! I exit the swimming pool better than when I enter.
.
But obviously it is not sufficient by itself. I try also to eat safely.

It take lot of time to see results. Patience is fundamental.

Bro ik this odd to ask but is true that it sculpts your body? Im asking cuz Ive heard from people

Also did it help ? Emotionally?

 

[Unlucky777]

Absolutely. Last 3 weeks my dad suffered a stroke, got hospitalized and passed away. I didn't get a chance to work out those few weeks and I spiraled. And found my way to here.

 

[derekWest]

Bro ik this odd to ask but is true that it sculpts your body? Im asking cuz Ive heard from people

Also did it help ? Emotionally?

I also go swimming to sculp my body ! I do it for 3 month ago and I have little more muscles. But I also do some exercises everyday : 2x10 push up, crunch, plank.
The more important thing to do is to have good alimentation: less pasta, more vegetables.... I change my alimentation very recently : since begin December.
I'm again à little belly... but some abdominal muscles begin to appear !
It take so long time to see results !

 

[INYGTRMTFMO]

Exercising more would probably help (if not the depression then at least my weight), but where does one get the time or energy.

Although, not having enough time or energy to dedicate to things like exercise is in and of itself not helping the depression.

 

[derekWest]

Exercising more would probably help (if not the depression then at least my weight), but where does one get the time or energy.

Although, not having enough time or energy to dedicate to things like exercise is in and of itself not helping the depression.

Your work a lot to not have time ?

 

[INYGTRMTFMO]

Your work a lot to not have time ?

I work 40 hours a week (sometimes closer to 45), then there's the commute, taking care of the child, housework, ect. I definitely should MAKE time, though.

 

[derekWest]

I work 40 hours a week (sometimes closer to 45), then there's the commute, taking care of the child, housework, ect. I definitely should MAKE time, though.

Obviously, it is hard in your situation to make some exercise. But if you can just do 10 minutes each day, it will great !

I have only 20h/week of work because 40h is unbearable for me.... and I have no children or other responsibilities.
So I can go to swimming pool everyday quite easily.

 

[HelloIamSummer]

It really helps me. I started running a while back to get fitter, but now, it's a big passion of mine. During, it feels like I'm really alive. After, I'm comfortably tired and proud of myself. For me, it's a lot less about endorphins or something physical, that's just a bonus. It's very similar to other passions I have. I think the key is finding things you really enjoy and learning to let yourself enjoy them.

 

[venerated-vader]

I enjoy exercising solely because i like setting myself arbitrary personal challenges and watching myself reach those goals. But what I love the most about it is having sore muscles later on. It's that kind of pain that reminds me I did something good, and it's a great substitute for when my mind gets stuck on SH.

It's nice to care about something that lends itself to both my mental health and my physical health. It encourages me to continue taking vitamins and trying to eat better. I feel less bloated and utterly disgusted with my body... usually lol. The sense of accomplishment is what I cling to most of all, because if I say I want to go to the gym or exercise and I do it, even if I don't do very much, at least I can say I got off my ass and did what I set out to do.

I hope I'll have the energy to go again soon. I stopped a little while ago because seasonal depression is a nightmare lol. But I've been working out a little at home and it's definitely helped... or, maybe it's the other way around. Thus, because I feel better, I want to exercise, and therefore I do.

 

[slapntickle]

It's obviously not a cure for the underlying causes of wanting to CBT, but it does give you some blessed relief from suicidal ideation and other symptoms of anxiety. I found that doing hard exercise (ie low reps of heavy weights), then stretching, then sauna and cold shower would totally reset me mentally, and at least let me get through the next day or two until I could do it again. If you have the time and resources to do it, it's so worth it.

 

[cowplantabduction]

Exercise is miserable to me, it actively makes my mental health worse. I'm jealous of people who find any joy at all in it, even if its temporary.

 

[OnMyLast Legs]

I think I'm about to attempt lifting weights for the first time in months. Usually I don't have the willpower for a heavy set but we'll see.

There was a study where deadlifts helped depression more than anything else. Pills, therapy, etc.

 

[RosebyAnyName]

Exercise helps, but only in certain ways. It's a mixed bag and depends why you are suffering the first place.

I started hitting the gym and doing strength training three times a week. It was great for managing and reducing depression symptoms like brainfog, low energy, and lack of concentration. Getting the blood pumping to my head helped me feel physically less awful, and honestly does help mentally to an extent. Working out gave me a lot more energy and motivation. The biggest underrated benefit it provided was making it much easier to fall asleep and fixing my sleep / energy cycles, which made me feel a lot better.

But that's the extent of it. It didn't help with feelings of existential dread, it didn't improve my social relationships or make me feel less isolated, it didn't fix trauma, it didn't make me feel better about myself or change my self-perception, it didn't make me feel "better" in a more philosophical sense. It didn't make me not want to CTB at the end of the day.

 

[OzymandiAsh]

No.

 

[like-spoiledmilk]

It's not a cure, but it did make my body stronger. I'm sick less often, I can defend myself easier, and the burned energy helps me sleep. People are also kinder to me when I'm thin, noticeably so. Most of my social entanglements are just people wanting to take aesthetic Insta pictures. I only do pilates, though.

I think all of that helps make life more bearable, but it doesn't erase depression.

 

[OnMyLast Legs]

I think I'm about to attempt lifting weights for the first time in months. Usually I don't have the willpower for a heavy set but we'll see.

There was a study where deadlifts helped depression more than anything else. Pills, therapy, etc.

I lifted and now I feel pretty okay. I'm still couch rotting but I'm recoiling from the thought of CTB. I've always loved the gym. Maybe this and coffee will keep me alive. I recently posted about coffee and anxiety but idk, the antidepressant effects might be good for me. Also, after 18 years of heavy sipping, I might have been getting *withdrawal* effects.