Do you find exercise helps with low mood/mental health and how do you do it when you’re feeling low?

Sorry you're feeling low. Exercise helped me overcome a long period of postnatal anxiety. Although I'm generally fine now, I definitely feel more agitated if I don't get regular exercise.

In terms of how to make yourself do it when you're low and lacking motivation... Having a routine helps, so that it becomes a bit more of an automatic thing. Or kind of tricking yourself into it iyswim. So... don't sit there thinking "Ugh I must exercise but cba". Instead think "I'll just get into my exercise clothes - that way I'll be ready if I want to exercise". Or think "I'll just do 5 mins and stop if I'm not enjoying it" (But then once you're in your gear/doing 5 mins, you're more likely to carry on.)

I do a fast, heart rate raising dog walk, uphill, then 15 mins of yoga. I have to walk the dog anyway, but doing it fast makes it really good exercise (I can't run any more). And I kept berating myself for never getting round to my 40 min yoga sessions, so instead I started doing 15 minute ones every day automatically straight after my walk. I'm already in my kit and it's a good cool down. I don't even bother with a video etc I just do whatever poses I fancy from memory. 15 min every day is a lot better than 40 mins hardly ever!

Hi I have points during the month where I feel and then berate myself for not doing exercise so get into that whole cycle. Things that work for me:

1. That inner voice is “Shit FM” not a term

1. Just walk. Exercise doesn’t have to be an all out sweat fest. I enjoy listening to the how to wow podcasts (Chris Evans interviews) gives my brain something new to think about. Plus it’s really good to get outside.
2. Yoga- I love - again switches your brain off as you focus in the here and now. My PT does prerecorded FB lives that I can do whenever it’s suits or there are loads on YouTube.

Exercise releases endorphins consider it part of your get well routine xxx

I find even a walk is a good place to start. And then yoga. I know they aren’t workouts but they seem somehow more manageable than getting up the enthusiasm for a proper sweaty workout

Hi, I’m sorry to hear you’re having a rough time. I’m a long time anxious manic depressive and I took up boxing during lockdown and it did wonders for my health. I just do boxing workouts by popsugar on youtube- no previous experience necessary. I feel like I’m getting all my stress out and like I can cope better, and by the end I feel like a superwoman.