"Just go for a walk..."

[LittleMissUnreasonable]

Why does this always seem to be one of the big solutions for people who are suffering from poor mental health? Maybe if I lived in Southern Spain having a nice sunny walk would be very pleasant. But the weather being so miserable and grey ends up making me feel worse. The thought of putting on waterproofs to trudge through the grey endless rain, only to end up in a condensation filled cafe that smells of damp coats just doesn't seem very appealing

Nobody said it was a cure all panacea. But it IS scientifically proven to help depression. that's a fact, no matter what you think of it.

you don't need an area thats pleasant to walk in to just walk.

"Just go for a walk" can be facile but as I say, also a much more sustainable, achievable, cheap and accessible aim for many people than "join a gym" for health, general lifestyle or mild to moderate MH issues.

Serious (mental) health issues also need medication and other therapy.

For a lot of people, chipping away at things daily is better than big and unsustainable aims and goals.

Of course they work!
And there’s loads of evidence for this.

Obviously they’re not a miracle pill and it can take a long time to find the right dosage and get to the root of any underlying issues but they absolutely do work for the majority of people.

I agree they work but I definitely don’t think it’s a majority. I’m sure I’ve seen figures that say about 30% of people respond to them

Endorphins, fresh air, exercise, nature

If a doctor really did make those comments, then they're a bloody disgrace.

And calling people pathetic because they can't face going for a walk when their mood is low is appallingly lacking in understanding or empathy. But hey, 'you're not alone in that' @DoItAgainPlz.

^ quite right, that attitude is vile. Let's not forget people can be depressed to the point of inertia. Try a little empathy.

I mean it depends how depressed you are too
Slightly low mood then yeah, it'll help
Lying on the floor wondering how the fuck you stay alive for another hour, you're probably going to need the medication to be able to function enough to even consider a walk
Been there. Still on the medication, exercise helps but I need the medication to be able to exercise... not walking as I hate it

I agree that a walk doesn’t help much and when you’re struggling it’s bloody hard to force yourself.

However I’ve been a consistent walker for years and I would say the benefits come down to three things. 1. The achievement of committing to something and doing it regularly can be a small win or first step. 2. Walking fast and hard enough to sweat and be out of breath will make you feel way better than a random stroll. 3. The walk is not really actually about walking anyway, it’s about being present while you look around and letting thoughts drift through your brain so you’re practising mindfulness without really trying

Exercise is great for depression but only if you enjoy it. It’s about finding something you actually want to do, not forcing yourself to do what you think you should do

It's not even just about whether you can "face it". When my mood is low, my mind and body are slowed so much that the organisation and energy required to get myself dressed and outdoors is immense (washed? don't make me laugh). Once out, my walking speed will be maybe a third of what it usually is, a shuffle at best. My stiffened, unresponsive muscles will ache at every weighted, leaden step. My observations, thoughts and reactions won't happen fast enough to allow me to safely cross the road, let alone have friendly chats with shopkeepers or marvel at rustling trees. I may slow up and stop altogether, and be unable to work out how I'm going to get home again, or care about it. When I do get back, I'll have pain all over my body, and that's all the energy I might have used for speaking/eating/drinking/moving from sofa to bed for sleep/concentrating on understanding and responding when spoken to, used up on "a nice walk".

I said YABU purely because I drag my arse out whatever the weather, even in my deepest darkest moments my husband got me outside and it has kept me alive to this day.
So yes, it does help. And judging by my local support groups it helps us all, so I’m casting a wide net with my response!

Even when I'm only mildly depressed and can think/walk at a more or less normal speed, the whole thing about it is that nothing much gets through the depression perception/emotion filter. There are birds singing. So? My face tingles coming in from the cold. A mere observation of a meaningless sensation. And lo, I did leave the house, traverse a wiggly circle, and return. A series of images passed before me, a series of bodily sensations happened. Nothing was achieved, nothing is changed, energy was exerted, time passed, and here I am, still contemplating the maw of internal despair, etc. etc.

The thought is worse than the doing and people with poor mental health are already in a negative state of mind so of course think that it won't solve anything.
They don't think anything will solve anything.

Positive people see fresh air, gorgeous smell of rain, rainbows and cosy cafes

Negative people see trudging through the grey endless rain, only to end up in a condensation filled cafe that smells of damp coats.

That’s usually if people don’t take them correctly or don’t make changes in their lifestyles to help themselves after they come off them.

I think the rate of effectiveness is over 80% if taken correctly.

I spent my entire childhood walking to school in the rain, going on lovely walking holidays trudging along the coastal path with a cagoule on with rain dripping down my neck, and going out on Sundays for a walk as the exciting activity of the day.

Safe to say I'm not mad on walks as an adult! But, I do find that exercise helps, so I substitute walks for dancing like a crazy thing around the living room for 15 min or exercising on my bike or whatever, although I agree in a very depressed state, simply moving may be beyond you.

Other people stepping in can help, one of my children had depression and I used to find something to do outside every day, not necessarily a walk, but going to the shop, the drive through for a coffee, just anything to be outside with other people.

It's fine not to like walking, and it's impossible to be a chirpy walker when really down, but exercise, even a tiny bit in your own home or doing a small step goal or anything like that helps mood and sleep.

I wish I could go for a lovely, long walk - a spinal injury and many surgeries later, walking more than about 50 yards is something I can no longer do. I do however have a trusty little mobility scooter that I like to whizz around on, but it's not quite the same as a good ole walk and definitely not as calorie-burning!

Your whiffy, muggy cafe reference made me laugh. I often wonder how fictional novels make these places sound sooooo cosy and inviting when filled with rain-sodden characters in the book. It conjures up images of all sorts of convivial atmospheres, with children giggling and the comforting chitter chatter of weary, but happy adults, all enjoying a steaming hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows on top.

We all know the stark reality is the smell of wet dog, tuna and rain-sodden padded coats. The hot chocolate is economy powdered shite from Bestway and the whipped cream is a squirt of watery air out of a can courtesy of Anchor. Oh and the marshmallows have usually fallen off by the time it's made it to the table. The giggling children are more often screeching and wailing and the chitter chatter of the adults is usually them yelling the kids to behave.

Ah yes, I love a cafe in rainy weather!

Happy to

It's called Everything You Ever Taught Me. On Amazon.

A few years back I went for a dental check up, I was told that I clearly clench my teeth and asked why I do that. I shrugged and said, I didn't realise that I was doing it but it was probably stress related.

Dentist looked at me and asked, what are you stressed about? Which I thought was a very personal question coming from someone I had just met moments earlier.

Then before I could answer he helpfully stated: Next time you feel stressed go for a walk instead of clenching your teeth. 🙄

I do think walking is beneficial but don't think it was helpful advice in this particular circumstance...

@RaraRachael
Ouch! Painful knees would definitely get in the way of a good walk. Me? I'd look into doing Pilates or Tai Chi. A good teacher will tailor exercises for you. And for people with depression? Tai Chi keeps your mind totally focused on the slow movements, so will give you at least an hour free from thinking negative thoughts. I honestly thought I'd die of boredom during the first lessons but now I'm hooked on it. There are some brilliant YouTube videos if you want to try it at home but like most activities, it's more beneficial to do it in a group. If there are no groups in your area, contact a teacher and ask him / her to set one up near you.

Thanks @Snippysocks I had wondered about pilates, yoga etc but Tai Chi never entered my head. I'll have a look online to see if I can find anything as I'm in quite a rural location with no classes anywhere near.

Walking (or exercise in general) is really, really good for your mental health, and I say that as someone who has previously struggled to get out and about, but always felt better once I'd done it.

However, I'm with you 100%. Not when the weather is crap. It's not enjoyable, and getting home wet and cold is not helpful to how I feel in the slightest.

This time of year is so tough, but one thing that helps me is searching for an exercise video on YouTube and following that. Any exercise is better than nothing - and make the most of the dryer, brighter days when and if you can.

@RaraRachael
My Tai Chi class has people ranging from early 30s to 80 and includes a man who's recovering from hip surgery, a woman with balance problems and a man who has obviously had a stroke. I've got osteoporosis (but no fractures). The others look 'normal'. The movements are slow and careful. I honestly didn't feel I'd go more than once as, until my osteoporosis diagnosis and then Long Covid, I preferred to do everything fast, but it's amazing. (And I'm not related to anyone teaching it)

I find walking to be fantastic. Really helps my clear my mind and think things through, to the benefit of my mental and physical health.

And you don't have to end up in a damp café if you don't want to.

The joy is that you can go anywhere you want.

It's not necessarily about the destination.

I felt the same.

Annoyingly it turned out to be great advice and bang on the money. But I had to get my baseline to a higher place via medication before I was able to go for a walk, let alone benefit from it. I now go for a walk twice a day. And they are my favourite parts of the day. If there’s a storm I end up doing my best sad dog impression, staring out the door with a hopeful expression, until I can go out. If I can’t I end up with an evening of deep sighs. Bloody lightning is a buzz killer.

Walking has helped me 99% of the time - to stay level, and with mild depression.

On the occasional very depressed days though, it doesn't work at all. My limbs feel like lead, I feel paranoid and I want to cry. On those days I might start a walk, get a little way and realise it would be better to be at home.

I used to live in the middle of a city and my favourite times and places to walk were at 6am on a Sunday morning in the brighter months, and at night through the posh suburbs, in the rain, often. When your mood is low you don't want to see lots of people. But also appreciate that some cities nowadays are not safe places at any time.