Does anyone find running helps their mental health?

[HappyH1]

My doctor has adviced me to do Couchto5K to help with depression. I'm only on week 2 but so far I feel keeping to this plan has raised my self esteem through the sense of acheivement. Has anyone else found running helps their mental health?

[KANdoit]

Definitely. Its lifting me out of the doldrums of same old same old and giving me the ooomph to try other new things. My get up and go is comming back.

[Hidden]

Yes, definitely. I was starting to slip down into the doldrums of no energy (a classic symptom for me that worse was potentially round the corner) when I started this programme. I'm never going to transform into a confident, carefree extrovert, but I do feel a heck of a lot stronger mentally than I have done for a long time. On days when I would have rather stayed inside I have strapped the old trainers on, cursed at Laura, sweated like a pig and yet come back to the house feeling like a different person!

Good luck, and well done for making the first step.

[Tic01]

I,ve been running for around a month now,and i think its the fact i,m getting out of the house for 30 mins every evening,doing my own thing,and forgetting all the problems at home,it does help.....

[Legion Graduate]

Absolutely. Not just the comparatively short-lived after-run buzz, but I feel more confident about my ability to tackle other things life throws at me now too. I suffer from SAD so I'm hoping that running will help with that and maybe I'll be able to stay off the SJW this winter (especially now the government has removed the ability to buy it cheap at the supermarket, grr). I'm glad to hear that you've found it beneficial and I hope you continue to enjoy c25k. If you read my blogs you will see that I've got a whole lot from doing it.

[Hezzabelle Graduate]

Absolutely! As someone who has had depression and mental health issues over the last decade or so and feeling particularly normal lately after a 3ish year bad stint, I really believe in exercise being just as good for mental health as physical health.

This c25k program is excellent as it helps you through all the way. It eases you in so you don't take on too much too soon and feel like a failure when your body refuses to do it. But it also keeps it fresh and challenging by building week by week.

I find it gives me something to mentally focus yet distract me.

I gear up mentally for my run through the day so I'm ready for it when I step out of the door. But I also like to make a point of taking in my surroundings, appreciating the scenery, dappled sunshine, watching the seasons changing etc as it really relaxes me mentally as well as distracting me from the physical twinges of my running.

I always enjoy the sense of accomplishment and endorphins as well as feeling really invigorated afterwards.

For those who suffer with any depression issues, I would really recommend it. As long as you feel up to the challenge.

I understand the physical limitations of the illness wether down to energy levels or medication side effects etc. I don't think I'd have been up to this a year ago. And I would advise not to overpush yourself if you feel you could be susceptible to feelings of failure if you find it difficult. We all know there's no right or wrong with this program but I remember how I would have felt if I'd been unable to complete it mentally.

But now I am through the other side I find it really helps to give me that little boost I need.

I would def recommend this to those battling the illness.

I think I'm hooked!

[Jimbob74 Graduate in reply to Hezzabelle]

Hezzabelle Thankyou, I do not suffer from depression but thanks to your blog I believe has given me an Insight but most of all will certainly help and spur on anybody that has. Thankyou very much for that, exactly what this site is for. Brilliant and I hope it carries on working for you

James

[arablue in reply to Hezzabelle]

Hezzabelle, I love your honesty. It took me years before I could talk openly about my depression and the anxiety I had too.

This running is certainly helping. I had to be ready to start, but now I am and I'm loving it. As you say, the sense of achievement is great. Keeping in my head that I will run on a particular day, then finishing a run when I didn't feel like it after work is a big mood booster.

I did repeat wk4 because I wasn't feeling too good and didn't want to lose my confidence by doing badly. I ran wk5 d1 yesterday and was fine.

Yesterday I noticed a hawk flying nearby, then a robin on a tree stump ahead of me, the cute calves in the field as I jog slowly past. These little things really do all help keep me from withdrawing inside myself. They make me smile, make my run easier and help me along the way.

[Hezzabelle Graduate in reply to arablue]

That's it! Exactly!

I've always thought that the simple things like appreciation of being outdoors and noticing what's around you are good for the soul. And yes they make me smile too.

And that just makes the aches and pains, the sweatiness and the panting all fade away into the background.

I guess it's not for everyone but yes it does help on the road to recovery.

And yes, I am pretty open about my history. It's just as much a part of my make up as much as my sense of humour or sparking personality, lol!

I've generally found that people unsympathetic or ignorant about it have the problem. Not me!

Tho I do get that its difficult for others to understand and deal with so I'm always open to questions or advice or whatever is needed to help beat the stigma associated with depression.

Sorry... I'm off on one, lol. It's just something I feel

passionately about.

Thanks for your comments.

[Rollertoaster Graduate in reply to Hezzabelle]

Hi, I suffer from an anxiety disorder and your post sums up running exactly for me! The sense of achievement, the improved mental wellbeing that comes from doing this for youself and improving week on week, and the importance of being outside of your thoughts and "getting present" taking in and really appreciating your environment and the simple pleasures it offers! For me it really has helped improve the physical aspects of the illness too, such as the muscle tension and the headaches.

[Hidden]

Endorphins are marvellous things, and it is them that keep me going on this programme because I want the next hit. I was in a furious mood last week, and went out for a late evening run (25 minutes), the run completely dispelled the mood and I came back on a high.

[trjones Graduate]

Without a doubt running, or any form of exercise, helps with anxiety and depression as well as stress, the latter of which is the reason I started running in the first place.

As Delores says above, going for a run and getting that endorphin kick really beats any strees that may have built up.

I've had doubts at almost every stage of his course (just starting week 6) but these have been unfounded which helps build my self confidence. I'm now confident I can finish the course and don that t shirt in a few weeks time!

[Deryn61 Graduate]

Definitely, it has totally changed my attitude to life's challenges. Good luck x

[mark909 Graduate]

I think getting out and about outdoors and having some sort of structure in your life really helps to beat depression. Having 3 weekly sessions to work around gives you something to look forward to. I always cant wait until my next run as soon as I've finished one. Also I think pretty much everyone on here has been put off running at an early age by the competiveness that comes with it whilst you're at school. I dont see it being about that though. It's about you and your body and seeing how far you can push yourself both physically and mentally.

[yummymummy2012]

Absolutely it helps me forget the pressures of life in general, I feel I have a good life but sometimes the everyday pressures start creeping up and being out in the fresh air soothes and worries and pressures away. I also find myself looking forward to the next run. Enjoy your runs

[arablue]

Definitely! Getting outside every other day, doing something that is just for me (which as a mum can be tricky), getting fitter, every single time I complete a run the sense of achievement is huge!

I joined to lose weight and get fitter, but I forgot how much this helps my depression. I have more enthusiasm for everything. It's becoming easier to say ok, I'll do that now, instead of I'll do it later, maybe, sometime....

I've just started wk5, and my anxiety and depression are much better than they have been for ages. Thanks for your post. Keep doing it HappyH1!

[chipstick]

It was certainly one of the reasons I decided to take up running. It's not a miracle cure, but at the end of a tough day it has helped give me thinking time and a sense of accomplishment when everything else might seem to be wrong. I feel stronger, physically and increasingly mentally. I hope running will lift you too xx

[ScottishHoosier Graduate]

As others have written, there is the sense of achievement and the endorphins. Also, this evening I watched Country File, and they said that studies have proven that spending time outdoors helps with your mental state of mind, and briefly showed a program involving outdoor work to help those with mental health issues.

[nicolaclaire]

I found I had a real buzz for the first 3 weeks but from week 4 onwards I have found the programme more difficult and it started to get me down, the support on here helps tremendously but I also have given myself permission to take things slowly, I started to feel annoyed at myself because people who started the same time as myself were much further ahead, but once I gave myself credit for how far I have come ( I struggled to run 60 seconds but can now run 20 minutes without stopping) I feel better, my other half has noticed that I don't look as knackered after my runs now and he says I have more energy.

I found that by setting myself a goal of completing at least 2 runs a week it has made me not feel like a failure if I don't feel up to running on a certain day....

So I'd say, enjoy how you feel now but if it wears off that is normal and just remind yourself how far you have come as there is no doubt that your emotional and physical health will have benefitted enormously xx

[Cazabees]

I started C25K last year after a panic attack left me in hospital. I have suffered from depression in the past and get frequent anxiety issues. I find the running helps me a lot but it takes a while, maybe after a couple of weeks running or so I start to feel the real benefits. I'm on my 3rd attempt of C25K, and I noticed how good it was for me when I stopped running, began to notice things like stress levels creeping back, not dealing that well with life in general hence why I've started running again to combat this. Your doctor is right, exercise releases endorphines which greately helps any form of depression, stick at it and you'll be feeling much better before you know it

[HappyH1]

THANKYOU TO EVERYONE FOR ALL YOUR ENCOURAGING WORDS XXX Hope you all have a really good week XX