W5R2 Running and depression

[jamesbmorley]

So news today questioned link between exercise helping depression. I have clinical depression and have just run for 2 x 8 mins and I feel AWESOME! Ok yes my anxiety levels are quite high about running 1 x 20 mins on Fri but hey sing when your winning n all that jazz

[hollyO Graduate]

Iam prone to anxiety but have found the programme fantastic for me. It has given me a real focus and I am proud that I can do something that an awful lot of people dont. My confidence has improved and although I am extremely slow, Iam still a RUNNER!

Iam sure you will find W5R3 fine. The podcast is so clever that your adrenalin levels will be raised in time for Friday and Laura will see you through. I dont know how they did it but they seem to know our limits! Most people on here dont think they can complete that run but do. And if you dont, try again or move on. Whatever feels right for you.

I wish you luck and please keep us informed

[cattery Graduate]

Didn't see the news but hope no idiots are doubting that exercise is a fantastic treatment for depression. It's so good doctors have been prescribing it - as good as anti-depressants without any side effects. I suffer from depression and terrible anxiety and the only thing that works for me is exercise, unfortunately I have to be in one of my "highs" to get the motivation to get out and do it, but when I do I cope much better with life, my anxiety levels drop and I sleep better. Sadly when I go into a "low" I tend to give up whatever I am doing and give in to everything being pointless. I started this program with no hope of actually achieving it and just did week 9 run 1 this morning. Loads of times I have tried to sabotage myself and almost not gone, and sometimes just not gone, but I am nearly there and can run for an hour (very slowly) and feel proud of myself and am sleeping really well which is the most important thing as not sleeping makes life almost unbearable. Keep going, you will find it helps with every aspect of life and the rush you get from achieving the runs will keep you going until the next run. Best of luck.

[hollyO Graduate in reply to cattery]

Wow - you are inspirational!

[sfb350 Graduate]

I read that news item too - I wasn't convinced. My personal experience tells me otherwise - as does yours !

Well done !

[sercreative]

I think news reports about depression tend to be quite all or nothing - as anyone who lives with depression knows, just because you're not 'cured' by something doesn't mean it doesn't help! It's quite irritating having to explain to people that just because you live with a mental health problem, you don't always have to 'overcome' anything - you can live a good life and work towards achievements regardless.

[jamesbmorley in reply to sercreative]

Absolutely Sercreative. Let's celebrate diversity

[Greg_M Graduate]

I heard this as well and from my own experience tended to disagree with it but I did wonder listening to it if they had not entirely missed the point and were not maybe asking the wrong question.

OK so maybe exercise does not cure depression, so what, no one thing does otherwise it wouldn't exist surely but it is a part of the process somehow. I suspect it is the action of going about the exercise rather than the exercise itself and the results of the exercise that that help rather than the specific activity.

For me the routine and rituals all help me to get up and do something and that is a boost and certainly being fitter, stronger and having somewhat better self-image are huge benefits.

Though that said I do think a decent run is very good for anxiety, just to puffed to be anxious afterwards!