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What lifestyle changes helped you with depression and anxiety?

107 replies

helpmeplease25 · 02/03/2025 19:25

I suffer with anxiety and depression and can be am very up and down. I am currently feeling pretty low about everything - constant negative ruminating thoughts coupled with anxiety and feeling hugely overwhelmed about everything - which isn’t making for a particularly fun time at the moment.

I am on 50mg daily of sertraline and have been for nearly 4.5 years. I’ve made an appointment to speak to my GP this week to discuss potentially increasing my dose but also I want to get some blood tests done as I’ve previously had extremely low vitamin D levels which I know has an impact on depression, and also I feel like I may have a hormone imbalance.

Anyway, the point of my post is what lifestyle changes did you make that have helped you? I am not talking about therapy/CBT but things like better diet, more water (I do think I am very dehydrated too) etc etc? Also, did you have blood tests done which showed a deficiency that was having an impact?

OP posts:
Somanylemons · 02/03/2025 19:31

For me personally it’s fresh air and sunlight - especially in the morning. I think there are some research papers that back this as helpful too.

ifellintoarabbithole · 02/03/2025 19:35

I have also been on antidepressants for a number of years now, but since discovering weight training I feel so much more balanced. It gives me time and space to focus purely on the weights, almost like a form of mindfulness. And seeing my body's capabilities has given me a sense of pride in myself I don't think I have ever had before. It stops the sense of overwhelm in it's tracks, and I feel so energised after a session.

I started with a PT which gave me the confidence to then feel able to join a gym and go it alone as I already knew what I was doing.

I haven't been able to address other lifestyle factors like diet, water or alcohol, but to be honest they aren't that bad compared to some. (Still room for improvement though).

I hope you find something which you find helpful x

user1471556818 · 02/03/2025 19:39

For me it was getting outside for a walk .No pressure on my worst days I literally drove somewhere quiet with my clothes over my nightwear and said 10 minutes that will do ..Good luck and try to be kind to yourself like you would be to a friend .

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helpmeplease25 · 02/03/2025 20:17

Thank you

OP posts:
HollyBerryz · 02/03/2025 20:25

Fresh air and exercise

JeanPaulGagtier · 02/03/2025 20:33

Proprananol and daily dog walks. Recognising when I'm spiralling and distracting - finding something that needs me to shift focus (I sew, but anything like that). Not thinking about the micro stuff and trusting that the world won't fall apart if I stop holding it. A good book is First Make The Monster Beautiful.

Washywishy · 02/03/2025 20:38

Three pints of water a day, reading (gets you out of your head) and biggest most surprising difference- increase your protein. Stopped me waking up anxious in the morning.

BaMamma · 02/03/2025 20:38

Start small and focus on some easy wins. Make your bed first thing in the morning, wash the dishes and clean the sink after you eat, get outside every day, set a timer for 15 minutes and clean a thing. Routines really help.

I've noticed this in myself and now see it in my daughter. She's been depressed and anxious for some time, but she's starting to create routines for herself, keeping her room clean, showering every day, putting on makeup, it all helps. And, honestly, it helps me that part of her routine is around cleaning up after her lunch and sweeping the kitchen.

LittleRedRidingHoody · 02/03/2025 20:39

It gets talked about to death but for me it really was the simple things.

Drinking enough water. Quantity is key, forget about all the negatives of flavourings etc and figure out what will actually make you want to drink, and stock up. For me it's Ribena/Whittards powdered fruit teas. Sure they have sugar/are expensive for everyday, but compared to dehydration it's still massively helpful.

Eating well, and the food you like to eat. If I'm feeling shitty, eating a cheap salad isn't sustainable if all I'm craving is takeaway pizza! So I get used to gently talking myself into reasonable swaps, like getting a Wagamamas or anything with loads of veg instead of ordering pizza, or making myself a cheesy jacket potato instead of devouring a share bag of crisps. I always try and go for things that balance what I 'want' with what I know is better for me!

Walks/working out and fresh air. If going out is too much, open a window. If going to the gym is too much, put on a Taylor Swift (or whoever you like who's upbeat!) dance/exercise video on YouTube.

On that note, upbeat positive music as you're doing daily tasks is such a game changer for me. I like putting on dance hits in the shower and pretending I'm actually an award winning singer performing to a sold out crowd. Anything that makes you smile is worth it, regardless of how mad it might seem!

If finances allow, little treats are well worth it wherever you can afford it/want them. A bar of your favourite chocolate, nice hand cream, a new bag. I like things that I can keep using so continually perk me up.

Don't try and fix everything at once. What you're doing is bloody hard, and even if you just do one small thing a day to improve - or even think about it! - you're on the right path.

Good luck 💐

Middlepiepush · 02/03/2025 20:47

Probably not a lifestyle change but for me a good therapist is making the most difference. It helps to have someone to be accountable to and to provide support.

Also, being kind to yourself when you are struggling to do much. Doing one thing a day was enough of a goal when at my lowest.

Belaymehearties · 02/03/2025 20:55

I WFH and it can be isolating which can increase my anxiety.
So I walk my elderly neighbours dog 3 weekday lunchtimes for an hour as exercise. Fresh air and a doggy chum who is so pleased to see me perk me up. We also pretty much see the same faces on our route so say hello to other dogwalkers. On the other 2 week days I either walk to a lunchtime exercise class or for a 30min swim. Then grab a quick sandwich or soup lunch. It's in my work calendar so I work my job round that hour and can't miss it.

Reading - joined an online reading group

I also joined a local choir with a friend Learning songs gives you something to focus on for a couple of hours, its good breathing exercise and no time wasting doomscrolling on my phone!

Huckyfell · 02/03/2025 20:57

Probably a load of rubbish from me... but I've family and also friends who suffer from the same. What I've noticed with all is that they each don't live a structured and disciplined life, they go to bed late, can't get up early and struggle from the go.
I got over mine by writing all my problems down and grading them, fixed the ones I could, deleted the ones I couldn't do anything about and put aside the ones that don't need immediate attention. And felt relief.

gamerchick · 02/03/2025 20:59

Weight training. With that comes better diet naturally to maintain the gains. I haven't found anything as effective and don't take any medications now. Sorry man. It's probably not what you wanted to hear.

Adhikv · 02/03/2025 21:00

Having a better diet definitely helped me; I would often pick at chocolate which sent my moods and primarily my anxiety up and down.
I also would say exercise made a big difference; doesn’t have to be the gym, it can just be walking

RedVelvetIcing · 02/03/2025 21:00

Just doing the thing helped me. I had no choice but to do things and they were never bad as expected. Not using it as an excuse to flake.

TwinklyRoseTurtle · 02/03/2025 21:00

Doing more things for myself, it’s easy in life to put yourself last but I started putting myself first, along with a good diet, good sleep/routine and small acts of self care each day. I started doing little things for myself such as doing my nails weekly, making more effort and also being honest with friends/family that I’m suffering it has all helped and I’m finally feeling better

RaveToTheGrave1 · 02/03/2025 21:05

I came off my meds as they made me worse

Started doing my hair and makeup every day so I felt nice, got nicer clothes and forced myself not to slob about

Cleaned up the house every day and got it spick and span, had music on whilst I did it and danced about

Joined swimming first for some confidence and then the gym, gym has helped no end with my mental health and going each time is absolutely a breath of fresh air

WhatTheFudges · 02/03/2025 21:07

Exercise is a proven positive when it comes to anxiety and depression. I would go with trying that first.

ScabbyHorse · 02/03/2025 21:08

Drinking two litres of water a day including green tea and coffee. Cutting my meds down as they interfere with nutrients absorption. Doing a bit of running, strength training and walking to work. Higher protein and more veggies. Treating myself to nice clothes occasionally. Reaching out to friends more often.

Spookywoodhollow · 02/03/2025 21:12

No one things has made a difference, but things are really really better and I know that all the good things add up to a positive impact. Mine are:

  • high octane workout in the morning
  • managing my hormones
  • working on improving my blood sugar spikes
  • meditating / checking in with myself
  • vitamin d
  • being kind to myself and knowing my limits
unsync · 02/03/2025 21:21

Divorce cured my mental health issues. Whilst I was married, having structure and routine helped keep things from deteriorating too much. Unfortunately my exH would always destabilise things whenever I showed signs of recovery.

Ocirout · 02/03/2025 21:22

Vitamin D and magnesium supplements

Ocirout · 02/03/2025 21:23

And getting a bicycle

ThursdayMornings · 02/03/2025 21:23

I find doing things which are physical and/or sensory really helpful. It may sound daft but I find smelling perfumes very grounding. I have bought some sample sets and I just spend time well, smelling them.

Doing any activity which is absorbing and which gives me a break from thinking helps. Even just for a very short while. For me that can be gardening, visiting a church, playing my musical instrument. When I’ve been really bad, I could only do these things for a short time, but every time helped and now I spend much more time doing the things which make me feel better.

PinkDevon · 02/03/2025 21:29

Eating better, exercise, getting outside, reading before bed