"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 despise exercise of any description. But can’t deny it always perks me up, so I do it. (And actually prefer the rain to 30 degree heat!)

There are some good walking videos on YouTube as an alternative to get moving. I use them on very rainy days. You can select by time even 5/10 minutes is better than not moving at all.

Walking does help many with their mental health, but no it's not a cure for mental illness. Everyone has the former and like physical health there are peaks and troughs, just as physical exercise is good for physical health there is a lot of research that indicates its beneficial for maintaining decent mental health too. That said of course it's pointless if someone has a mental illness, and whilst say for depression for some it might help manage some of the symptoms of course it won't 'cure' it nor be the sole answer.

@LittleMissUnreasonable Have you actually tried it??? Going for a walk in a common, park or open space? Hearing the birds, seeing others walking too, etc etc.

I can't believe that it doesn't make you feel even a tiny bit better.

That said it's certainly not always the 'cure' for all mental health issues and sometimes alone is not enough to battle the impact of negative thoughts and other mental health impacts.

Speak to your GP?

I suffer with my mental health at times. Moving gets me out of my head and into my body. Being outside, even if it's walking down a main road full of lorries and cars, helps straighten my brain out when I'm struggling to. It doesn't matter where I am or what the weather is like. I just need to breathe, move, and stop thinking for a while.

If you can find someone to go with, walking and talking is fantastic therapy. My DD and I often go for a walk and we chat about anything and everything. I feel so much better when we get home

YANBU

I personally like a nice walk, even in bad weather.

But any advice that begins “just” is usually shit advice.

I used to have PTSD (still do but mostly under control) and severe depression as a teen/very early 20s. Getting outside for a walk really helped. Socialising at uni and studying also helped. Working hard helped me realise I had a purpose and future. Getting outdoors helped calm me. What didn't help was staying indoors on my own all day.

Take a walk around our awful overvrowded country riddled with poverty. I can't walk for longer than 10 minutes without being asked if I can spare any change or whether I can donate to a charity. The worst part is I can't do either because despite working 2 jobs (one FT one PT) I can't even make ends meet. That is the true root of most MH issues. (I actually have really good MH but I'm just wanting to share the real cause of bad MH).

So I mean a walk is good, but it’s unlikely to cure all ills

My MH is very up and down, just coming out of PND for the second time. Walking helps me. I have to force myself, I would rather just curl up in bed but it really helps. I feel better when I get back through the door.

That being said, if you are suffering, it’s really annoying when people offer simplistic solutions.

Hope you feel better soon x

I've had depression for over a decade. There have definitely been times, thankfully now years in the past, when getting out of bed felt like an impossible task. The last thing you want to hear during those times is "go for a walk" - but the thing is, it genuinely helps me (and the evidence is that it helps most people). Even just strolling around my nearby streets, or a short trip down to the parade of shops. Doesn't have to be an epic scenic hike.

PS I live in the North of England.

Hate walking unless it's got a purpose like walking to somewhere
It's pouring down today, I wear glasses, can't see anything... nope
I exercise fine inside

It is about the elements on your face, in your lungs.

It is about shifting your weight from one side to the other.

It is about being aware of what is around you, and using your senses.

I have to be outside, no matter whether it is wet or dry. Windy or sunny. I go out in the mornings and evenings on too hot days and the moment the storms come, I'm back out to get rained on. I only come in when I need a drink, food or a rest inbetween doing stuff or if it is too hot to be out there.

I bloody love it. I worked outside in construction for years and then in an office and had to go outside by 11am or I'd lose the will to live.

I then worked in teaching horticulture and every opportunity I'd take students outside, even just for a whizz round the garden in their wheelchairs. Even just to take some stuff to the compost bin.

I now have a large garden in France and am out in it as often as possible.

It doesn't have to be a walk in the rain, it just needs to be exercise. A swim, gym class, yoga, jog on a treadmill, game of tennis, whatever. You can almost guarantee you will feel better after an hour of movement rather than an hour slowing on a sofa eating crap.

It helps me tremendously, but that doesn't mean it will work for everyone. I had severe mental health issues last year, and they were helped hugely by hiking in all weathers. It's not the "cure" but part of it for me.

We're often too empathetic, if anything.

Exercise and walking in fresh air is scientifically proven to help with depression, anxiety and other MH issues. It's a fact. Do it, don't do it, whatever, but don't whine that people give scientifically valid and sensible advice.

There isn’t anything negative about walking. Do you feel even slightly better afterwards, even if you didn’t want to go in the first place?

It won’t cure mental health issues alone. I think people are suggesting to move your body to make your body feel better, and exercise is often positive for the mind too. It’s all little steps; not a cure all, but a positive impact.

i actually hate exercise - if i didn't have dogs to walk i wouldn't do any at all. They force me to get out every day. I have invested in a good raincoat, waterproof trousers and slip on shoes ( Can highly recommend Siri waterproof boots by Woden). Live by the beach and love it all weathers. Once am out am better, seeing the waves in blustery weather is actually quiet refreshing and love the beach around xmas and January. With working from home now, i find getting out after a bad day in office really helps switching off. Nice to come home then to the fire and its nice to see the dogs curled up in front of the fire after a good walk tiring them out

Because I made myself go out walking when I was too depressed to reasonably function, and during lockdown all I did was walk for the first few months to stop me from doing myself a mischief...I find walking now has rather horrible associations. It is all subjective.

I swim outdoors and that improves my mood as (waves hands) vagus nerve stuff, also it feels a bit rebellious. So, yes, exercise to suit yourself helps.

For me, wine helps in moderation too. On the no-wine nights, either crap catch-up tv or a book. Masterchef and Ambulance are the current go-to. The Laura Kuenssberg politics thing is also good.

The person upthread who said that no matter how grim they are feeling, they make themselves go to work and do normal things. I couldn't agree more.

Anything for the dopamine hit.

Understand entirely. Not everyone has access to nice open spaces even if you want to walk. It helps my sons mh - not mine at all. I find it pretty boring tbh.

I agree with PP who are saying it does help.
I got a dog and shortly after came off my ADs as I was getting outside every day for at least an hour or more, it really helped me. I had severe PND so it wasn't that I just felt a bit sad.

Same. In winter, if it's dark or I'm in the mood where I can't face speaking to anyone, I'll go a walk in the dark to a supermarket that's open late.

It's about 20 minutes each way. Then I'll buy a smoothie or chocolate bar for when I get home, so there's a reward.

Another thing is to buy an indoor exercise bike (mine was under £90 from Argos last year) and cycle to a 30 min tv episode.

I have dogs, so walk in all weathers, several times a day, for decades. Without wishing to sound like a Pollyanna LOL, it has taught me two things:

1. It doesn't rain nearly as much as you think it does. Our dogs go out at least three times every day, and it is rare that we can't avoid significant rain really. It happens, but not often - and actually I quite enjoy a walk in the rain when I'm properly dressed for it.
2. The days when you've been stuck indoors and it's dull and miserable outside are honestly the days you need it the most. We can all be cheerful and get fresh air on a good day, but to get fresh air and movement on the bad days really is the trick. I always come back feeling better for it.

The dogs go to various different places over the days and weeks, but morning walk is always the same (to us at least, to the dogs it's a riot of new smells, they're not looking the the scenery. I love doing this same walk every day, seeing the changing of the seasons, and every one of them has great bits.

It's good for your core, your balance, muscle tone, you'll sleep better.

OK, maybe I am a Pollyanna - but it really is good for you!

I recommend getting a good rainproof coat in a bright colour which you actually like and which suits you. Hideous dun colours do nothing to improve anyone's mood.