Exercise as a way to cope

Post Reply New Topic

I'm a lot happier now that I started exercising. Nothing has really changed in my life, and I am not really trying to be happy. I just am. And I think it's because of exercising. I've started a vigorous weight-training regimen in the past two months, mostly including weight lifting and yoga. At the same time, I've come down on anxiety medication. When I tried that once before, I felt so anxious and sensitive that I needed to go back on. Now, I am getting off the meds just fine. My elevated mood is a powerful incentive for me to keep exercising.

I agree with feeling better for exercising. I haven't been lately and my mood is so different. A lot more stressed out, getting less done and just have no energy. I really have to start up again.

Sounds like something I should try.

***ooops...double post removed. sorry...**

Cycling has done amazing things for me. I can sleep again, no problem. Because I'm demanding such huge efforts from my body, physically I have no problem sticking to a 'healthy' diet. It helps with sensory overload also. I haven't been biking as much lately and I notice the depression setting in, the inability to cope, sounds jangling across every nerve endings. The exercise didn't solve any of my life problems, and sometimes brought up very intense feelings (I bike alone a lot so I don't have to be embarrassed if I suddenly rage or start to sob). BUT, when I get in at least 20 miles a day, I find I function better. No magic pill, just good old sweat and discipline.

I've seen it definitely as a way to cope. I think I've had depression for the past five or so years, and it's always been suppressed since I've always been on the football team. While I was never a starter (heck, there aren't even tryouts, that should say enough), the intense physical activity definitely suppressed it.

Which makes sense, as right when last year's season ended (as a senior), I was done with football's obligations - no exercising required anymore - and within a few months, severe depression came.

The problem is initially getting the motivation to keep going at it, but it only gets easier if you keep going.

Yes, it absolutely is for me. I feel much better when I exercise regularly -- mentally and physically. Maybe it's the serotonin release, or something else, but it definitely helps me.

Exercise helps me deal with stuff a lot of the time. When I'm feeling down I just want to not feel anything and the easiest way for me to get that is to wear myself down lifting weights.

I don't know about coping, but exercise makes me feel better simply because I know its a more productive use of my time than just sitting around the house. Spending an hour or more at the gym lets me come home feeling like I've done something good for my body, and that goes a long way towards improving my mood.

Exercise is a great way of helping me to cope with 'life'.

It's the main reason I survived my teen years.

Definately. I always feel like a million bucks after a good workout.