"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

Have you tried playing Pokemon Go, OP? I'm not kidding, during lockdown in particular it was sometimes the only thing that got my out of my house. It also helps you notice all kinds of things that you'd previously overlooked. You get rewarded for walking certain distances.

No-one is claiming it's going to cure psychosis.

Could you possibly pm me your book title please?
I also hike long distances but have never done a really long one yet - I love to read books like this as it gives me inspiration and keeps me going when times are tough.

I think even being in the rain and wind is good for your mental health even if you can only manage 10 minutes! I set myself a target of 8k steps a day whatever the weather and the days I feel the best after are actually the rainy windy days. Even if you think 8k is too much (for me it's low enough that it motivates me even on bad days) you could start with 5k or less. Make the habit nice and easy to start with but do it every day. Mastering this before thinking about other bigger challenges will give you motivation for the other better ones, step by step.

Totally understand the weather angle to this. The suggestion is probably more about "getting in the zone" exercise wise rather than forcing yourself out into all kinds of hostile weather and environments.

YANBU in the sense that [usually wellmeaning] people make infuriatingly insensitive/ignorant/reductive, unsolicited suggestions to people with complicated, poorly understood conditions and I’m sure depression is a good example of this.

A close friend of mine has suffered horrendously incapacitating mental and physical health issues due to her thyroid in recent years and she has heard it all. Have you tried going for a walk? Cutting out gluten? Getting a SAD lamp? A weighted blanket? Etc etc. Of course she’s bloody tried everything and your ‘advice’ makes her want to smash her head into the wall.

That said, getting out into nature for a walk is scientifically proven to bring many mental and physical health benefits. I find trudging about in the rain when I’m sad highly therapeutic. But I’ve never suffered from depression and I don’t know how you’re feeling. Hope you find some coping mechanisms OP and things improve for you.

I don’t think anyone is saying that taking one walk is going to cure your mental illness, just like taking 1 antidepressant pill won’t.

But how do you think antidepressants work?

They literally have a similar effect on the brain of going for a walk outdoors, which is why so many doctors recommend it.

Obviously going out for a walk is hard when you have depression though and the antidepressants can come in different strengths.

So I’d always advise getting antidepressants too but walking outdoors can definitely help.

I think the issue isn't with the 'go for a walk' suggestion in itself. It's the dismissal that your mental health is cured by this. And the dismal of how severe mental health problems can be. Many people still think it's just being a bit sad. Often dismissal from heath care workers who don't want to prescribe medication or therapies. Often spouted by people who has no first hand experience of mental trauma, who don't understand how hard it can be ti find the energy to get out of bed in the morning, let alone get dressed and leave the house. Going for a walk can be therapeutic, but it's not going to cure or provide long term relief for severe mental health problems.

I am finding it increasingly difficult to 'get out for a walk' where I live now as its more depressing walking round the same pavements/route every time. To get to the open fields is over a mile of pavements and getting in the car to drive seems to defeat the object. I've had a lot of heel/foot pain this summer so walking has been much harder and the pain has given me yet another excuse. Its so much easier to stay inside and watch TV/play on my phone etc in my self-perceived 'safe space' than actually get out and do something that would help my MH.

I walk 3 miles a day by choice as part of my daily commute (for physical and mental health reasons). I very rarely get wet and that is with fixed times. I bet, without having to stick to a schedule I could walk at least 3-4 days a week for over half an hour without ever getting wet at all. Cold crisp (dry) autumn mornings are wonderful for walking. Crunching through snow is bracing. In fact the worst weather for walking is probably in the middle of a hot, humid summer. It is difficult to get started. But once you have a bit of a routine walking can become addictive and it really has helped my mental health. I love walking alone, but have friends in walking clubs who find that works better for them.

Agree with most people that it's not a cure-all, can be an annoying instruction, doesn't help everyone, but - for most people it helps.

I've always walked a fair bit, but at the start of last year I'd been WFH for two years and had almost solidified through spending about ten hours a day at my computer. I had all kinds of physical and mental health problems. I started forcing myself to go and walk every day - even though I kept telling myself I didn't have time, it wouldn't help and I didn't want to. I can't say it's cured everything, but it really has helped. Apart from the actual walking and being outside, I feel better just knowing I've made myself do it every day. Mainly I'm just pacing my local streets - it's not gripping, but I listen to podcasts and see what's going on.

I listen to this podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/walking-is-fitness/id1525449420 It's an amiable man in the US who promotes daily walking and he suggests doing it for ten minutes a day. He talks about walking research, habits, his family etc - it's not riveting, but he does a ten minute podcast every day, so it makes it feel easier to get walking as a habit. I aim for a modest step total, but my main priority is whatever else to go outside for a ten minute walk.

But how do you think antidepressants work?

They literally have a similar effect on the brain of going for a walk outdoors, which is why so many doctors recommend it.

^ there are multiple types of antidepressants that manipulate the uptake of serotonin. You'll have to excuse me but working in the mental health field I'm very jaded at the complete and utter lack of mental health support in this country. Daily patients with complex mental health needs and a combination of social economic issues are advised well try yoga and a walk. It's like slapping a plaster on a war wound.

Going for a walk is not a magical cure but it can help you manage your depression , anxiety and stress better.
Going somewhere with lots of nature has further benefits. It's calmer, nature soothes us and even benefits us physically.
Phytoncides, a chemical given off from trees are said to have numerous health benefits for us. Which is why forest bathing is becoming popular
Some GP's are prescribing 'green therapy' now.

Just move, move the body move the mind.
Most runners don't run to stay thin, they run because of the mental health benefits.
How many people would love to get outside but cant, due to age, ill health etc.
Diet, sleep and exercise are vital for good mental health.
I am 54, slim, fit and healthy, l walk everywhere because no car, l don't mind, l love it, whatever the weather. There is no way l could stay indoors all day, the boredom would would drive me insane.

I dragged myself out for a walk with baby today despite spitting rain and blustery wind and I feel 100x better! There is something about open space and feeling the elements that is very grounding. So glad I'm out now in a sheltered bit of a coffee shop while baby sleeps.
It won't cure all mental health woes, but if you're feeling awful then at least rule out the possibility that you haven't moved your body enough or connected with other humans and give them a go as they can be very effective!

The challenge is if you're feeling awful to find the motivation. But if you can force yourself it's worth it!

YABU

The idea of going for a walk doesn’t always appeal but no matter what the weather is like I have never come home from one and thought “I wish I hadn’t gone for a walk”. I ALWAYS feel better after it.

I think the warm water is calming like a big hug. Especially for people that don't have partner/family/pet to cuddle. Kind of the same principle as weighted blankets

How is it more dismissive than the original post? In some cases, advice to 'just go for a walk' really isn't helpful.

I've had severe depression and too wouldn't have found suggestions to 'just go for a walk' any use at all, so not sure what your point is. But apologies for not knowing your personal circumstances and posting to fit your narrative instead of drawing on my own experience.

Yup! I think having everything ready by the door helps. And when the weather is not so good you don't need to worry about outfit just put a coat on over your lounge wear

I think walking in bad weather actually improves your mental health more than walking in good weather, because you feel a greater sense of achievement for having got out there and done it, even though it was cold and wet. When you get in, it feels lovely and warm, and you can sit and listen to the rain pounding the windows with a cup of tea.

Being happy is all about having lots of balance / opposites in your days - i.e. cold and wet outside vs nice and warm inside. Periods of exercise vs periods of rest. Periods of doing tasks you don't really enjoy but are useful vs periods of fun activity.

If you base your happiness on outward events that you can't control (e.g. whether its a nice day outside) then you're missing the point of what happiness is.