Exercise did not help my depression

[Imsureimnotmad]

As it says, exercise did not help my depression. I'm interested to hear other's experiences.

It tends to help me, if I keep it up regularly enough. But it has to be frequent, and I have to exercise hard enough to raise good levels of serotonin... a casual walk or swim or whatever doesn’t do as much, although can provide a bit of a relief and head space at rare intervals.

You need to expand some more. Did you exercise once or have a regular schedule?

I have noticed that it helps when I feel well enough to enjoy it. In deepest depressions I am not in a mood for any sort of exercise. But when I feel little bit better and can get myself doing something it helps.

It helps me a lot. I found taking an evening walk or jog along the local canal the most peaceful and calming option

Any sort of movement helps me. I find yoga especially beneficial

Undead, yes that's the trouble I also feel too low to do it in the first place.

@imsureimnotmad
I need first a med increase to start with and then comes exercise. I am on sertraline and mirtzapine for depression.

@undead

Can i ask you about Mirtzapine? My GP just prescribed it for me, it has knocked me out for nearly 48 hours. Is this normal?
Weight gain horror stories are worrying me too. I don't want to be a whale again! :/

It takes consistent exercise at least 3 times a week in my experience over a regular period. Like most things I guess it's not a magic pill. Now I find if I don't try and keep up that level
Of activity I really notice the negative effects

What kind of exercise were you doing?

I think it needs to be very regular, probably daily, high enough intensity to make you puff and sweat, something your actually enjoy doing (although you might have to stick at it for a bit to become fit enough to enjoy it iyswim) and helps if it has a social element to it too.

But, es making yourself do it when you don't feel like it, even though you know it will make you feel better, is hard.

@Imsureimnotmad how long did you stick at the exercise and did you have a regular schedule? And was it outdoor exercise as in you got sunlight and fresh air alongside it?

I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling great.

It isn't a cure. It is part of an overall package of mental health management.
It doesn't do a lot for me when I'm very depressed (although I suspect it does a bit), it helps a lot with relapse prevention. Vitamin D also seems to be doing a lot. There is no magic cure, you have to take the meds, engage with therapy (counselling or CBT or whatever) ear well, exercise, sleep enough but not too much and lay off drink / drugs. Then you stand a chance. It is a lot of hard work but totally worth it. In my experience.

@pinkypie86

Mirtzapine really knocks me out. Recently when I had tummy bug I managed shit myself while sleeping!
The sedation gets better. I have gained weight but it seems to work so I hope to start bootcamp soon.