Exercise, has it helped you?

[Khob]

Just wondering if it really helps. I'm feeling like I've tried every single thing to improve but nothing has worked, not counselling, anti depressants etc.
The only thing I haven't stuck at is exercise. I've heard it can literally "save people's lives".how is that? I have a lot of bpd signs, but as yet undiagnosed, one of which is inability to be motivated, so I find it difficult to keep a regular routine. Does anyone have any success stories?

I definitely feel better directly after going to the gym

Well it's a bit of a vicious circle... It's so hard for a lot of people to 'make' themselves exercise... even harder if you're already feeling depressed.
Why don't you just commit to something you enjoy for a whole month, and make yourself go, no matter what. Don't allow yourself to make any excuses. Even say I'll just show up for 10 minutes... and then hopefully you'll stay longer.
At the end of the month see how you feel.
After all, you've nothing to lose....

No, unfortunately, I am very restricted with my physical health.

It definitely helped me. I couldn't afford the gym so started off going for a 10 minute walk and gradually walked for longer periods of time. I refused medication and I would say I walked myself better.

Yes . Regular exercise has definitely helped my mindset as well as improving diet and reducing caffeine . Also forcing myself to think positively (fake it TIL you make it) and being kind to myself

You can do it

Definitely helps me - I think it's being outdoors though more than the exercise itself (I run & walk & do an outdoor exercise class)

Totally!

Yes it’s definitely helped me, although I wouldn’t say it cures it. I will always be prone to depression but exercise helps me deal with it.

I started off low like walking 10,000 steps a day and gradually improved it till I was following joe wicks work out videos.
I rarely have a day where I think ‘yay, exercise time!’ But once I’ve done it I feel a million times better.
Even if you don’t follow the whole video or have to stop in places it’s still better than having not done it.

I suffered terrible with anxiety and depression and started running. It was for me the best thing I ever done the hardest part was always just getting out the door, once that was done I was ok. I haven't run in a couple of years now and even though I'm better I still know that if I take up running again I would definitely feel the benefits but it's trying to find time and motivation again!

Massively.

Especially when it is walking outside.

Yes, its definitely helped me - more as a de-stressing thing, as opposed to an actual MH thing. I really start to notice if I've gone a few days without exercising.

I regularly do a class which means I have people 'expecting' me to turn up. Thats quite a good motivator. I've made friends, too.

It has - but only after I got a dog.

I find getting up and dressing in my kit a helpful thing. It gives me one less excuse to not go!

Yes, because it's one thing that I can get totally submerged in. So even if it's only 30mins out of 24hrs that I'm getting a break from my head, it's still a 30min break that I wouldn't have otherwise had.

Yes, very much. Swimming is fantastic for me. It's relaxing and really clears my mind.

Yes, definitely. Park run Saturday morning starts every weekend on an up.

Helps me a lot with stress and anxiety. If I go to the gym or for a run or swim the physical tiredness calms my mind.

Also the social aspect - one of the sports I do is in a group and that has been hugely positive.

Couch to 5k gives a huge sense of achievement and then Parkrun is open to you which is a wonderful thing - and you can volunteer there which is also great for a feel good factor.

Yes exercising helps me a lot and also getting a dog. I think that she has helped me and I think walking her has been the best exercise and helped my anxiety enormously.

I think so. Mine is making sure I have routine- I get up, make all beds, open all windows/ doors, just generally make the place tidy while the kids have breakfast and then after the school run I walk the dog. For me, and even long before I had kids when I was struggling getting up, making beds and airing and just 10 mins of tidying before making myself go out worked wonders. If I just got up and left it all I'd feel progressively worse as the day went on. If I just went out but came back to 'stuff' needing doing it'd put me on a downer as soon as I walked back in, it was all there looking at me, making me miserable.
Make yourself go out, first thing or after work or whatever and just walk at first. If you get out and only want to go round the block just do that, but I find once I'm out I WANT to keep going. Download an app like Mapmywalk and track how far you've gone. Aim to walk to a park and sit on a bench for 5 mins, or to a shopping place and people watch for 5 mins then come back. Then your day isn't a write off, you've DONE something.
Look, it might not work- for some people it will and for some it won't. But you can try it. It's really really worth a try.

Yes, it definitely helped me. I lost my beautiful, funny, kind and all round best friend and mum last year pretty unexpectedly, and I was in bits, my DS was only 6months and it simply destroyed me.

I had to find a way through and mine was exercise, I started running and doing body combat and other classes at my gym, it helped me no end. It was a way to release my anger at loosing her and a lot of other emotions and i think it helped stop me getting into a really dark place.

Today really helps my anxiety/racing thoughts. It really chills me out.
I do YouTube videos on my rug so don't need anything special. 20min videos. Adrianne is my fav.
It's hard getting motivated and doing it regularly though.
As she says the hardest part is showing up.

Thank you all who commented. I'm a complete wreck. I'm here shaking, so anxious and just can't be in my own skin if tha makes sense. I'm thinking it's literally last chance saloon. How long did you have to do it before it took effect?

I felt better after my first run. I felt like I was doing something good for myself.
It is very tiring to start with but if you persevere and don’t beat yourself up if you have a bad go then you will soon feel the benefit.

Another vote for Yoga with Adriene.

m.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene

There's everything from ten minute routines to full thirty day programmes. She's very kind in a non sickly kind of day, and in my utter worst moments she's a little voice that says you can get through this.

And if ten minutes is all you can manage one day, then that's flipping awesome.

@Khob I feel better instantly. What are you up to today ?
Get some loose clothing on, even pj's or shorts in this weather. Google Adrianne Anxiety Yoga. Sit on the carpet or rug and do it! It's free!
She concentrates on different ways of breathing. It really really helps me.
It's 20 ish mins.
Fingers crossed for you - try it once maybe and report back to us