Discussion Nothing makes my brain feel better than physical exhaustion.

[trashprincess]

Been in the depths of despair lately. Like REALLY bad. Today I rode my bicycle like 40 miles (okay so half the point of the thread is just to mention that because I'm super heckin' proud of that) and I feel SO much better. I'm also so exhausted it hurts and I'm probably going to pass out in like 10min. But that's part of the fun!

I've had this experience before. Since I occasionally work construction, I'll get depressed for a while and then have a day of hard manual labor to boost my morale? Apparently that's how it works.

Now it's real easy to get real miserable real fast doing stuff this strenuous. But every now and then pushing my body to it's absolute limits revitalizes me in ways few things do.

Anyone else have any experience utilizing physical activity to improve mental health? Or have any desire to? Would love to share whatever insight I have on the subject and encourage anyone who would like to exercise their way to better mental health!

 

[CuriosityAndCat]

Yes to physical activity to improving symptoms

 

[ConfusedClouds]

YES! At the moment I am on hillwalking/mountaineering and gym sessions but have used long jogs and bike before too!

I have previously been an 'elite athlete' (though I never called myself that at the time), high level team sports. So I just seem to have continued my training and some more - I am fitter and stronger now than I was when competing annoyingly. I also enjoy active/'doing' jobs.

Have you had history of training/sports too that this has developed from?

Beast mode Great effort with the bike ride!

 

[Mirrory Me]

That's alot- remmember to eat something so your muscles won't get damaged.

 

[trashprincess]

YES! At the moment I am on hillwalking/mountaineering and gym sessions but have used long jogs and bike before too!

I have previously been an 'elite athlete' (though I never called myself that at the time), high level team sports. So I just seem to have continued my training and some more - I am fitter and stronger now than I was when competing annoyingly. I also enjoy active/'doing' jobs.

Have you had history of training/sports too that this has developed from?

Beast mode Great effort with the bike ride!

I've got that poverty bod
Done a bunch of construction work, and also I've never driven a car so I get around everywhere by walk/bike/bus
Was actually a total NERD growing up

That's alot- remmember to eat something so your muscles won't get damaged.

Ty I ate as much as I could when I got home

 

[KafkaF]

Been in the depths of despair lately. Like REALLY bad. Today I rode my bicycle like 40 miles (okay so half the point of the thread is just to mention that because I'm super heckin' proud of that) and I feel SO much better. I'm also so exhausted it hurts and I'm probably going to pass out in like 10min. But that's part of the fun!

I've had this experience before. Since I occasionally work construction, I'll get depressed for a while and then have a day of hard manual labor to boost my morale? Apparently that's how it works.

Now it's real easy to get real miserable real fast doing stuff this strenuous. But every now and then pushing my body to it's absolute limits revitalizes me in ways few things do.

Anyone else have any experience utilizing physical activity to improve mental health? Or have any desire to? Would love to share whatever insight I have on the subject and encourage anyone who would like to exercise their way to better mental health!

This is normal.

Studies have shown that exercise aids in reducing depressive symptoms for many people. Exercise causes a release of endorphins (feel good brain chemicals).

Anyway, good job! Keep it up if you can!

 

[ConfusedClouds]

I get around everywhere by walk/bike/bus

I love it when I am based in larger towns/cities so can walk a decent distance everywhere!

How quickly do you find the benefits last for from a big exercise day like your bike ride? Or from 'smaller' sessions?

I find smaller stuff like weights sessions don't help too much individually (but give me routine and build fitness for bigger exploits). HIIT type cardio interval sessions give me a much bigger 'hit' but still can 'wear off' the same day. Big exped/adventure days sort me out until the next day when I feel satisfyingly tired. I am however finding that I'm needing to do more and more which then in weird ways can be counter productive as annoying anxieties pipe up with debating at what point I'm doing too much!

Edit: I should clarify that even though I am familiar with all this exercise, and sound confident, I still get mega overwhelmed with 'what to do' - have to stick to stuff on autopilot or with a secondary purpose (i.e walking a long way in/around town to the shop). My gym sessions are the same on repeat for years from my 'athlete' days and often I use gym classes where I can just be told by an instructor what/when/how to do anything. Also lapping signposted trails for hiking/biking so I don't get stuck or derailed by any planning whatsoever. Analysis paralysis is a big struggle.

 

[Ash]

Yup. My MH has deteriorated significantly since I injured myself and haven't been able to recover fully to cycle for miles and miles or get out hiking. I miss it so much.

 

[ConfusedClouds]

Yup. My MH has deteriorated significantly since I injured myself and haven't been able to recover fully to cycle for miles and miles or get out hiking. I miss it so much.

Oh that sounds so horrible.

Is it a shorter or longer term injury thats keeping you from adventures? I really hope you are able to get back out there soon.

 

[Ash]

Oh that sounds so horrible.

Is it a shorter or longer term injury thats keeping you from adventures? I really hope you are able to get back out there soon.

Thanks. I've got a few niggling injuries. Nothing serious but enough to risk serious damage if I push through the pain. But I keep aggravating them in really stupid (and unintentional) ways so it just drags on and on and on. I think it's the not knowing that's the worst. If they said my hiking days were done, I could find a way to come to terms with that. But working for recovery and then going back to the beginning time and time again is just exhausting, especially when not being able to get outside and do the things I love has a huge impact on my emotional wellbeing, anyway. I could always rely on my body even when my mind and emotions let me down. Now I can't rely on that either. Can't imagine why I'm at the bus stop

 

[ConfusedClouds]

Thanks. I've got a few niggling injuries. Nothing serious but enough to risk serious damage if I push through the pain. But I keep aggravating them in really stupid (and unintentional) ways so it just drags on and on and on. I think it's the not knowing that's the worst. If they said my hiking days were done, I could find a way to come to terms with that. But working for recovery and then going back to the beginning time and time again is just exhausting, especially when not being able to get outside and do the things I love has a huge impact on my emotional wellbeing, anyway. I could always rely on my body even when my mind and emotions let me down. Now I can't rely on that either. Can't imagine why I'm at the bus stop

Oh that sounds so frustrating and totally understandable. Sorry you've been having to deal with those ups and downs and false hope.

 

[Pluto]

This is definitely a thing.

Since I quit my job, I can treat fitness like an occupation (for a while). I wake up feeling like crap, then after my 2+ hours in the gym I feel normal. Then I sleep and repeat the cycle. It's like a thread keeping me alive.

I can certainly recommend a heavy physical fitness routine for people in less dire situations as it will make all the difference.

 

[trashprincess]

I love it when I am based in larger towns/cities so can walk a decent distance everywhere!

How quickly do you find the benefits last for from a big exercise day like your bike ride? Or from 'smaller' sessions?

I find smaller stuff like weights sessions don't help too much individually (but give me routine and build fitness for bigger exploits). HIIT type cardio interval sessions give me a much bigger 'hit' but still can 'wear off' the same day. Big exped/adventure days sort me out until the next day when I feel satisfyingly tired. I am however finding that I'm needing to do more and more which then in weird ways can be counter productive as annoying anxieties pipe up with debating at what point I'm doing too much!

Edit: I should clarify that even though I am familiar with all this exercise, and sound confident, I still get mega overwhelmed with 'what to do' - have to stick to stuff on autopilot or with a secondary purpose (i.e walking a long way in/around town to the shop). My gym sessions are the same on repeat for years from my 'athlete' days and often I use gym classes where I can just be told by an instructor what/when/how to do anything. Also lapping signposted trails for hiking/biking so I don't get stuck or derailed by any planning whatsoever. Analysis paralysis is a big struggle.

Honestly I never bothered to keep track of how long the benefit lasts, but for now I feel like I'm out of the pit of despair, and I'm ready to give life another fraction of a go! I'll report back once my mood has tanked

A little bit of exercise helps when I'm having a bad day and I just need a little boost. Like there's this really pretty park near my house I ride to and it's only like 45min there and back.

But big beast mode days help when I'm having a bad life and need a little will-to-live.

Thanks. I've got a few niggling injuries. Nothing serious but enough to risk serious damage if I push through the pain. But I keep aggravating them in really stupid (and unintentional) ways so it just drags on and on and on. I think it's the not knowing that's the worst. If they said my hiking days were done, I could find a way to come to terms with that. But working for recovery and then going back to the beginning time and time again is just exhausting, especially when not being able to get outside and do the things I love has a huge impact on my emotional wellbeing, anyway. I could always rely on my body even when my mind and emotions let me down. Now I can't rely on that either. Can't imagine why I'm at the bus stop

Oof I feel a lot of that. Cycling is pretty much the only thing I can do with my body that isn't making one of my injuries/issues worse. I miss nice long walks For me it's just that it's too hard for me to stop though

Is there any kind of physical activity you can do without hurting yourself?

This is definitely a thing.

Since I quit my job, I can treat fitness like an occupation (for a while). I wake up feeling like crap, then after my 2+ hours in the gym I feel normal. Then I sleep and repeat the cycle. It's like a thread keeping me alive.

I can certainly recommend a heavy physical fitness routine for people in less dire situations as it will make all the difference.

Yes

It can take some working up to though for people unaccustomed to physical activity. For me I did a lot of walking before I started pushing myself

 

[errorsinmypast]

Yes to exercise. Set small challenges, achieve them and you'll feel amazing.....albeit temporarily until the next challenge.

 

[Linda]

Yes. When I was stuggling with chronic fatigue, I found that - paradoxically - dancing helped. When I was very low physically I couldn't do it, of course, but when I was in an intermediate state it did help. No idea why.

 

[Unicr0n]

I run and experience the positive effects of it. Scientifically cardio has been shown to improve mental health from treatment-resistant depression to chronically suicidal individuals. Keep it up!!

 

[whiteclaudia]

you know how you have to tire out a puppy so it doesn't cause trouble? same logic, i think.