"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

Sorry OP but a walk does make you feel better, what’s difficult to make people understand though is actually building the motivation to actually get up and out when your not feeling great, it’s a catch22.

You have to force yourself.

I suffer with anxiety and depression. So badly I had to give up my career. I’m still on medication. But getting outside each day and walking really really does help me.

I think some of the dubiety is around what you think of as a walk. Trudging on muddy paths and ending up in smelly cafes - sounds hellish.

But I walk a lot and really have found that doing it makes a big difference to how I feel day to day. Does it cure clinical depression in me? No. Does it improve my affect and make me feel happier? Yes.

I like urban walks where I look at the buildings and watch the people and look at the shops and observe the changes. I can do the same walk every day for a week and always see something different. It’s a bit like micro observation and it takes me right out of my head.

And I like a good long walk in the countryside. I’m not dead keen on starting a walk when it’s raining - but I’ll happily live with it when I’m out. A good raincoat and heavy shoes definitely help the experience.

And I like walking in southern Spain but can’t visit in the summer because it’s too hot and I burn too easily so I’m not sure it’s the promised land for walking.

i do think there’s a bit of horses for courses but the reason people suggest it is because, at a large scale study level. it’s been shown to work.

It isn't raining 24/7 at the moment. We've had a few days of rain recently but prior to that we had nice weather. They give it nice again next week too.

Sometimes a walk in the rain can be quite therapeutic. There's rarely lots of other people out so lots of wildlife comes out. I won't go for a walk in heavy rain or rain & wind, but some light rain often makes for a nice time imo. It can be very grounding and help me feel a bit more present.

Walking is meant to be good for your MH so to answer your question, yes I think YABU.

Wonderful advice from @Stimpend and @megletthesecond :)

You also don't need to go in to a cafe. I actually can't stand people in cafes 90% of the time so wouldn't opt to do this myself.

Because it does help. It's sunlight (even on a cloudy day), fresh air and exercise. Same as opening the curtains helps. And having a shower. Not drinking alcohol. Eating nutritious meals. Tidying up a bit. Changing the sheets.

When I was depressed I used to get pissed off with those suggestions too but people aren't suggesting it because they think it'll cure you, or solve all your problems. Just that they're little acts that do make a little bit of a difference.

@LittleMissUnreasonable Is there a reason you've ignored every other post and jumped on the defensive with your reply to @ChardonnaysBeastlyCat's post?

There are so many posters here who have taken the time to explain why is works, and how helpful they find it. You may not like people suggesting you should go for a walk but it does help, and is far more beneficial than arguing with posters on MN.

YANBU I had a locum doctor say this as he didn't want to prescribe my usual anti-anxiety meds. My anxiety is a symptom of my autism and no amount of walking in the countryside is going to cure that, if anything it'd just make it worse.

It works for me, even in stormy weather as it wakes me up, but I get its not for everybody. Think it works well with mild depression, but more entrenched clinical depression, even if well managed needs more than a walk.

I do think it is an easy suggestion to make when there is no suitable more expensive options available. The equivalent of sign posting and leaflet waving and then saying your work is done. A lot of work places and organisations do this. They don't want to change the conditions that actually make people ill in the first place. Just heap it all on to the sick person when the organisations or workplaces and their culture and policies are the thjngs that may people sick in the first place.

Poverty and inequality has vastly increased in the UK beyond the average persons control, yet nobody wants to change that to make people healthier. They just tell them to walk it all off, take pills and if that doesn't work its all their fault.

And whinging is going to help you how, exactly?

I find if I'm feeling lonely which often I've gone for a walk to combat I end up feeling worse because I see other people together.

Do it! Come back and tell us after giving it a go.
Cafe absolutely not needed to be incl here.

When you feel low sometimes nothing is going to fix it. There are no guarantees tbh.

Sometimes it's just the achievement of actually getting your coat on and moving and like pp said even 5 mins is an achievement.

Fresh air is a positive.
Nature is a positive or let's call it outdoors if you don't have nature.
Movement is a positive .

It's a small something.

It’s the act of moving and being in the open air that have impacts on MH, OP, not whether you find the prospect of going for a walk enjoyable.

Agree with everyone else.
I did the 100 miles for mind challenge last year and having set a goal and got some sponsorship I’d never felt more motivated in my life! Yes some days the weather was shit but I put my headphones in and took my umbrella (get some decent waterproof shoes) my mental health was the best that month.
It’s not always achievable but a little bit of gentle exercise definitely does help.
It sometimes feels impossible to get started though, would it help if we challenged you on here? Just a small goal - end of the road or similar? I’ll but out if not. All the best OP x

YABU I sometimes substitute the walk for a drive but the simple act of leaving the house (by whatever means) is sometimes enough to reset my head a little bit.

@Whinge
I wasn't ignoring. You might have missed it but I replied to another two posters thanking them for advice.
I've also had some reassurance from @Pottedpalm @AllOfThemWitches @Theblacksheepandme
And some motivation from @Zanatdy @TomatoSandwiches

Loads more posters I'm getting through at the moment that are understanding and supportive

And of course some old fashioned stiff upper lip advice from @ChardonnaysBeastlyCat who is probably not very educated in other people's mental health.

(I would like to add I agree it’s not the cure - alongside therapy and medication it can be very useful)

Walking really does help, regardless of the weather. I have to begrudgingly admit it, although I still oddly resent it and have to force myself/end up skipping it.

I don't think 'being sympathetic' to mental health in the form it currently seems to take, i.e. having low expectations because things are so bad for someone, is necessarily helpful either.

A better sympathetic response is to empathise with a person's struggle while also encouraging them, and supporting/scaffolding them, to make small day to day changes that can help.

I feel like this so on those days I get in the car or hop on a bus and chuck some music on/read a book. A day tripper bus journey to anywhere and nowhere with earbuds in and a book can be strangely cathartic

The most infuriating thing about "go for a walk" being trotted out as a solution is that is actually fucking works (swearing at my frustration of those saying it being right, not swearing at you).

No it won't fix, alone, a deeper problem, but as a fix for the right now feeling, it works.

People have set responses to certain problems because they like to feel they're offering a solution. Or perhaps it could be said people just employ stock phrases in general.

It's like "If there's anything I can do..." (in response to bereavement) or "Why don't you join a MeetUp?" (when someone's single) or "Have you thought about volunteering?" (when someone can't find a job). There's no thought behind the issue that that person has but it's meant to demonstrate caring on the part of the speaker.