If anyone is suffering from anxiety or depression - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

134,111 members159,473 posts

If anyone is suffering from anxiety or depression

sally1993 profile image
38 Replies

I started this for mental health reasons.. I have just finished week 7 and although there have been highs and lows.. overall I am better.

I have seen physical changes and short term mood lifts but I was really doubting if this was going to rewire my brain in any real way..

Saturday night should have been a lot worse than it was for me.. and tonight (due to reasons that would normally have sent me spiralling).

I thought Saturday was a fluke.. but tonight I am sitting here and I know that it isn’t. It’s helping.

Keep going anyone in the same boat.

🚣‍♀️

Written by
sally1993 profile image
sally1993
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
38 Replies
Humblebee profile image
Humblebee

That's great you feel it's made a difference! :)

Nilsam profile image
NilsamGraduate

What a wonderful positive post, Sally. I do believe the running appears to help at different times and in differing circumstances. Long may it continue. Take care.

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate

Great to hear Sally, I have been there also !

You might find this interesting !

healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

sally1993 profile image
sally1993 in reply toInstructor57

A very interesting read! They got some science in there to back me up too! X

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57Graduate in reply tosally1993

Absolutely, 👍

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

It’s so good to read that this is helping for you. I love the headspace that I get to think about my life some days, on others I’m running to escape life for a while... both are good. It takes a lot more to get me down than it did before running... while life is never perfect for anyone, I always finish a run feeling positive. Apparently we release not only endorphins but also endocannaboids wired.co.uk/article/your-bo... which unlike their illegal cousin, are only ever good for us.

Happy running.

sally1993 profile image
sally1993 in reply toUnfitNoMore

Aww thank you for this ☺️❤️ Hahha their illegal cousin! Brilliant x

Lainey1 profile image
Lainey1Graduate

I feel running is really helping my mental health too Sally. Was feeling pretty low last week but going out running made a real difference to my mood. I would never have thought it would help so much but I feel much more able to cope with things since I started Couch Potato to 5k. All the best and keep going xxx

sally1993 profile image
sally1993 in reply toLainey1

Really glad you’re feeling better too ❤️ xxx

Lainey1 profile image
Lainey1Graduate in reply tosally1993

Thanks Sally ❤️

a_in_gsr profile image
a_in_gsrGraduate

I started c25k to help my mental health! I'd just come out of treatment i.e. was at home again and so this gave me a goal / something to focus on as I was readjusting to living by myself again :)

sally1993 profile image
sally1993 in reply toa_in_gsr

That’s so good! It’s amazing how powerful it’s turning out to me hope you’re doing well now xxxxxxxx

RunNewForestRun profile image
RunNewForestRunGraduate

Have you read Bella Mackie’s books?

sally1993 profile image
sally1993 in reply toRunNewForestRun

No I’ve never heard of her but just googled her.. she said running saved her life 🙂 I’ll give her book a go if you’re recommending it x

To be honest I was inspired to do this by Tyson fury after reading his book.. he said training everyday is his medicine 🥊 🏃🏽‍♂️

RunNewForestRun profile image
RunNewForestRunGraduate in reply tosally1993

Bella Mackie is now married to Greg James Radio 1 DJ. Her books are really interesting, poignant and inspirational

sally1993 profile image
sally1993 in reply toRunNewForestRun

I started her book on my kindle last night! I didn't get very far because it was late but it already sounds right up my street. Looking forward to reading some more at lunch :D. Thanks for the recommendation x

RunNewForestRun profile image
RunNewForestRunGraduate in reply tosally1993

My pleasure. Enjoy the book and your runs!

PhoenixRise profile image
PhoenixRiseGraduate

What an inspiring and brave post Sally1993. So glad to read running is/has helped your MH. Likewise, it too has saved me from myself during these uncertain times. Let’s all keep on keeping on supporting and checking in one another #bekind

sally1993 profile image
sally1993 in reply toPhoenixRise

🙂❤️🏃🏽‍♂️

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

A good run in the morning really sets me up for whatever the day might throw at me.

As in the article Instructor57 referenced, running quietens the background mental activity: you're focused on the moment and not on all those bits of mental baggage.

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate

Hi sally1993 - I have had my battles with anxiety and since I rediscovered running I have definately become a less anxious person!😀🏃🏽‍♀️It really can make a massive difference to your mental wellbeing - I like to think that "running is my medicine"!😀

Good luck with the rest of the programme and I hope it continues to help you through those tricky days - it really can be quite empowering.💪🙂

sally1993 profile image
sally1993 in reply toSandraj39

Thank you so much for this reply and reaffirming my hope that it’s only gonna get better 🙂🏃🏼‍♀️ xx

Caley67 profile image
Caley67Graduate

It definitely helps, great achievement and keep on running....

Maxi80 profile image
Maxi80

I started C25K due to repeated bouts of depression I was getting due to misophonia (you’ll have to google it!) Anyway, yeah, for a few hours after my small jog I do feel a bit better. Just gotta keep going as best we can. Thx for the post 👍

sally1993 profile image
sally1993 in reply toMaxi80

Keep going 💪 glad you are starting to feel better I hope you see the same changes I am starting to :) xxx

Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduate

It's such good news that you are finding running helps. I think it's partly because it's a challenge which we can overcome, which makes us more resilient and strong. I find it makes me 'fearless' and whilst I don't suffer with depression, running works for those low times which we all have. It always makes a day brighter and more positive somehow.

Well done, the longer the runs get,the bigger the benefits!

sally1993 profile image
sally1993 in reply toRoxdog

Yes! You have put this so well :) bring on those longer runs! 🏃🏼‍♀️ x

Roxdog profile image
RoxdogGraduate in reply tosally1993

You'll love those long runs, I can tell! Keep going, you are doing brilliantly. Just you and your body, doing what a body is designed to do! So simple.

cfwright42 profile image
cfwright42Graduate

Yes! I joined a gym in February to help my mental health and with the intention of starting C25K.

I started C25K around 6 weeks, I am due to do W5 R3 this evening 🤞

Lockdown wasn’t great for my mental health but I think I coped better than I would have done without the gym sessions (the gym moves the sessions online).

But the difference since I started C25K has been amazing! I feel so much better, I’m having fewer negative thoughts and my confidence is improving. I don’t know if it’s the running, the fresh air or the company, as I’m being supported by a couple of friends from the gym. Whatever it is, I’m taking it 😀

I’m so pleased to read it is working for you, and others, as well. Keep it up 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

sally1993 profile image
sally1993 in reply tocfwright42

Wow! Well done 👍 I’m so glad you feel better ❤️ xxxx

BexJogs profile image
BexJogsGraduate

So pleased for you! Keep going and keep posting! 😊

booksie profile image
booksieGraduate

Well done Sally. It looks as though your post has been a great help to many. Take care.

Week7 profile image
Week7Graduate

You are so right! You are doing something for yourself which is amazing. I have seen similar changes in myself. I finished C25k a little while ago and have just started to on Juju's plan to keep myself going.

Keep on going _it just gets better!

JetsNanna profile image
JetsNannaGraduate

I am so pleased that you are feeling such positive benefits from running. Your progress is great too so “win, win” for you.

Keep it up 😊

acountrycabbage profile image
acountrycabbageGraduate

That’s great to hear Sally, I’m already feeling the programme’s magic too. Best of luck with Week 8, you’re doing so well!

sally1993 profile image
sally1993 in reply toacountrycabbage

<3 <3 <3

AdieJ profile image
AdieJ

Just read your post - and I am in the same boat.....my company has had no more support and all my friends who are in events same as me are paying to keep the company going from our own savings and they are folding their businesses, my head has been in a bad place and my mental state has been effected massively for the first time ever. Running has given me a purpose to get out and see the world again. I am playing golf more too and running 3-4 times a week and LOVING IT. Keep strong and anytime you feel like you need help or a chat - please message me - if we stick together we will all have a better life x Keep running, keep happy....keep talking x

sally1993 profile image
sally1993 in reply toAdieJ

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that.. the whole world has gone mad isn't it. And I'm so happy running has kept you going - it is so amazing! Thank you for your kind offer, will do and same :) xxxx

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

So close and then...

Graduation run should be tonight or tomorrow. Well it won't be tonight. Woke up this morning with...

I Can't Pluck up the Courage to do Parkrun

For 4 weeks now I have been determined to go to parkrun and for 4 weeks I have now chickened out!...
Tulip73 profile image
Graduate

Goodbye Week 8!

Well, this evening I have been out and run Week 8, run 3, and ran it without bleating and whingeing...
SlowWorm2016 profile image
Graduate

Post grade run 4 and IC :(

Well i had been doing ok until Monday evening, still been doing 3 runs a week of at least 30 mins...
Butchdingle profile image
Graduate

Back to earth ... with a bang!

Well, after graduating on Saturday, tonight was my first 'just for the heck of it' run. I set out...
wez70 profile image
Graduate

Moderation team

See all
Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator
Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministrator
Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.