"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

I thought the same. I would spend hours inside with the curtains closed, dreading having to leave the house to do the school run. Anciety was eating me alive, I was in a constant cloud of blackness for years. Then dh got a dog, and suddenly I HAVE to leave the house, I HAVE to go for walks, for her sake. I still don't like people, but it has genuinely helped lift the cloud a little.

I once went to my GP to ask for the details of a private counsellor (a different doctor at the same practice had given them to my husband before but we'd lost them), and she absolutely refused to give it to me and insisted that I first take this leaflet home and read it and see if that helped me first. It's main suggestion was that I should go for a walk. The reason I was asking for details of the counselor was that I was struggling to come to terms with becoming a wheelchair user.

That's terrible! Breathtakingly insensitive.

I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder (supposedly the severest form of depression) at 16yo and haven't taken meds in years as gym helps so much.

Of course, I don't speak for everyone and have always managed my depression better than many - e.g. copious drink and drug abuse in my youth but no self harm etc and was always relatively functional. I found SSRIs to be much less effective as they didn't give me the sense of progress, the discipline, or the confidence of having a good body and getting compliments for it.

Well, it works as a clever metaphor but in reality it's the last thing you'll think of in the middle of a brisk uphill walk.

Another analogy could be getting used to conquering pain. Facing a situation you know will be uncomfortable yet walking towards it and coming out victorious.

A little bit of advice someone gave to me was to even try to get out for a short 10 minute walk just to be outside as it does lift the mood, the hardest part is just getting yourself to get out and once are outside it feels good. Even for 10 mins and try to do that twice a day or even to get into the garden if you have one and just to feel the air on your face. Some people do not understand what it is like if you feel low and everything is an effort. Is there anyone that you could go out with as that would help you to do it. If I feel low sometimes I do not mind walking in the rain as it can make me feel alive, know that sounds mad. Hope you have someone to help you or support you as understand how you are feeling, sending hugs xx

So much good advice and thinking on here. Thank you 💐

It was a bit of a laugh or I would have cried moment! I went back to see a different doctor who apologized and gave me the details I wanted.

No medication worked for me either and I tried everything from SSRIs, SNRIs, beta blockers, mood stabilisers, atypical antipsychotics and sedatives.

I've been medication-free for several years but have seen a counsellor privately (£35 a session) for a few years every few weeks.

Genuinely - working long hours, walking, cleaning and staying busy and distracted has worked best for me.

You're right @TorqueWrench . When we push ourselves out of our comfort zones and come out the other side the effect on mood is very beneficial.