Exercise/Mental Health

[JourneyofSelfImprovement]

Anyone here started exercising more for the mental health benefits than the physical benefits?

What do you do?

I run.

I run every day. Sometimes with my dog, sometimes just me. Sometimes half an hour, sometimes 2h plus. Sometimes I run non stop, sometimes I run with bits of walking whenever I want to.

Exercise always helps me mentally. I generally go to the gym and set myself a target or challenge because it gives me a sense of accomplishment.

I tend to write myself a fitness plan and always make sure I complete it. For example, 15 minutes on the stair master or 15 minutes of cycling. Even if I feel like quitting I still push on. And also the same for weight training.

Obviously I do it for the physical benefits too but there are times when I'm so stressed/unhappy that I need the gym for my mental sanity. even though exercise may be the last thing I want to do, I know once I get in the gym I will have to really focus on what I'm doing and it will clear my mind. And I feel so much better mentally afterwards! But for this to work, I have to do something pretty intense and focussed so either a hard core weight training session or a HIIT class.

It's why I started many years ago.
Having to focus on hard physical exercise and the resulting aches and pains took my mind off, and got me through, some pretty horrific depression.

OP, yes DS just started playing football again for this very reason and he said he feels great . What are you thinking of doing?

I had a feeling everyone would be running!

@Nutellar I'm not sure yet. I could run but I hate it tempted to do classes at the gym but I'm also on a big saving mission this year so probably better off doing my own thing at home, I'm lucky enough to have some equipment.

Yoga is the best type of exercises for better mental health. Also, it has a lot of benefits for physical health as well.

Yes. My mental health took a nose dive at the end of last year and I was put on medication. I decided to try c25k and if I'm having a tough day, I get my running things on & go out. I do feel better for it :)

two years ago I was going through a horrible period - running got me through it. I did RED January (Run Every Day January) for MIND and it was so helpful. I still love running with music.

More recently I took up yoga - went to a class every day. I really recommend it. You have to focus on yourself and your body. No time for rumination or negative thoughts.

Positive side effects toning. I now run and yoga most days.

Am not at all sporty or athletic but enjoy exercise at my own slow pace and find it very good for MH. Makes a huge difference for me.

When very sleep deprived and low I used to walk, slowly. Have always built walking into the commute.

Like the gym, with good tunes or podcasts. Group fitness classes are fun as there’s no need to self motivate, just follow the crowd, and it’s slightly social in a low key, easy way.

Now also like slow jogging - lucky to live near nice green space.

Like yoga too, but I don’t like it as much online (on my own at home) as with a RL teacher, and local classes aren’t at times I can make.

Oh, and swimming, mainly in the summer! Slow lane, laps, literally immersive!

Walking and horse riding has helped me massively

I've been doing the 'Fit Yogi Trainer' app for a while, because I know I need to move in order for my mental health to be good, and when I'm feeling low it starts a negative cycle of curling up on the sofa for hours doing nothing productive then feeling guilty. The app is good as it combines a cardio workout with complementary yoga in an hour all in, so it's easy to fit in time wise and you can do it at home. Plus the app stares at me when I'm tempted to procrastinate on my phone or iPad. I do miss days occasionally, but that's life.

Bodypump classes at the gym.

The combination of lifting the weights/dance music lifts my mood without fail.

I do gym classes - body pump and spin. It works out cheap with a yearly membership at the local Everyoneactive, and because it's a class I don't have to be all that motivated, I just book turn up and follow instructions. Feel so much better.

I hadn’t done any excercise for over a year but last year my anxiety went through the roof I was in a really really bad way, my friends convinced me to go to a boxing/circuit class at the gym and it really has made a difference to my mental health.