Depression Understood Forums

I am in a deep derpression. I was seeing a counselor but I cant afford the co-pays anymore. So I go to a depression support group every couple of weeks. It seems everyone tells me to excersise to help my depresssion. I used to be an avid cyclist before this depression took over (and a back surgery) the past couple of years. My question is, with all my money worries, and job stress etc.. how is excersize suppose to change things? It isnt going to make me any more well off money wise or relieve the job stress, so what is it going to do to change things. I don't mean to sound so negetative but it's just how I feel.

To tell you the truth Im not much into exercise. But they do say that even walking half an hour a day raises the endorphins some which is good for a low mood.
Its not that it solves the problem but its one thing in a big toolbox that can help with depression.
I am without transportation right now so I do a lot of walking and well I don't always want to esp. in the heat but in cooler weather I found I really enjoyed it. I take my dog with me and Ive met a lot of dog lovers and so forth and nice people on my walks. That does lift my mood. It does help. 'sorry about typos but for some reason my keys are sticking. Mel

I think mfrancis53 said what I would have said. (Mel right? Hope I saw that right & hello there.)

If you can walk a hill or a series of hills/humps, that's what I would do. I've done those "walks" for years & the only thing that has really given me a boost is walking a hill (as steep as you can handle).

Since the hill I walk is in a neighborhood where there are dogs, I go with a stick, just in case. So far, it has been uneventful, but you never know.

I feel that when exercise is done, it may help to keep you going, even with depression biting at your heels. It's not a panacea, but like Mel said part of the toolbox.

What has worked for me was Detox + Exercise.... Well, I hope this is helpful to you....

Ive recently started a exercise programme, purely by chance. I hit a massive low a couple of days ago, so much so I was willing myself to stay alive. I jumped in the car and went and bought a exercise bike and a set of dumbells. I cycled 10km the first day, and 15km today. Only time will tell if its of any benefit, but I feel positive that Im doing something.

Hi Patrick, I have to agree with the persons who have responded. I feel exercise, no matter how little, does have a very positive benefit. One chatter explained the physiology with endorphins and such and that is true. But, I think exercise is something that helps a person establish routine. Sometimes, having routine and structure just makes a person feel more safe and secure and thus a bit brighter. I am a firm believer in pushing my body every day...I feel it gives me mental strength to face things. Once exercise is over, even if you miss a day, what you accomplished can never be taken away. That is a good feeling.
I always think walking is a great way to start...music can help, a partner or animal to walk with you is also great.

I tend to solve my biggest problems while running....my body hurts so much, LOL, that I find I focus on other things and figure them out better.

Much luck and hope for a better tomorrow, hugs

I like to walk too, Lisa...been doing it the past week. It goes in spurts, sometimes I can will myself to get out there, sometimes not. I have a membership at a local h.s. gym, but have seldom to ever used it, mainly because of the fact many people who work out there are parents of children who are also there, doing their own thing, too. So I do whatever's most comfortable for me to do, right now-walking, and riding my mountain bike in the summer-when it's not 100 and so humid out, one cannot breathe lol! There are a lot of hills by me, in the area I live in, so whether I walk or ride, it's always a great, grand workout..like, pretty much all-or-nothing. I have seen several athletes around here-or those who look like they could be
Eventually I would like to resolve the issues that keep me from going to the gym, tho-(my membership is automatic, and cannot be terminated till April, and then only by my written consent) because I have noticed my muscle mass has been consistently wasting away, a little more by the year, like it will to everyone over 40..and walking obviously does nothing to help that..but it IS good for my heart and mind and bones, though.
What's your favorite form of exercise? Do you do it alone, or with a friend?

I felt the need to clarify more of what I'd meant by issues with going to the gym: I'm not married, and most are, at my age-I was married 13 years ago-it will be 13 years, this April-but I left him at just 4 months, he had bipolar and would not take meds for it-and we had no children, because he had several children already and I knew that, before marrying him..I just wanted to get married, though. So even if we had stayed together, the probability of having a child would have been none, anyway. And I had had an abortion 5 years prior, as well, which I was just barely beginning counseling, for..Post Abortive syndrome is real, and very likely precipitates depression and substance abuse, etc., in the majority of women who go through that.
So the issues hindering me from all that, years later, are still very much there, mostly from lacking the funds necessary, to get therapy of any quality. I think lately, tho, I've finally landed in the right place, as far as counseling goes..I just hope and pray state funding can continue, though, as it's very much come under fire lately from radical Republicans that don't want to pay for things like that; they stereotype like mad, thinking 'all' people who happen to live like me are active drug addicts and drunks, who sleep with any man they can, and won't work. I WANT to work, it's just all these stupid issues of mine that haunt me like a ghost