Are you depressed? Let me challenge you...

[Voyager]

Many of us on this forum have suffered depression, including myself. For me it has been an off-and-on battle for a few years now. I haven't resorted to going to a doctor for my depression, but many of you have. Some of you have been taking doctor-prescribed meds for your depression. I chose to self-medicate with pain pills instead (I know, bad choice). About three weeks ago, I stopped taking the pain meds cold turkey. For a few days my depression got worse. I knew I needed to replace the pain meds with something that would lift me up. I found it.

You see, depression is a result of bad choices. We tend to make bad choices after a loss or a trauma. We sleep in, we lose motivation, we stop caring for ourselves, we lose hope. These wrong choices are the things that cause depression. It's as if our mind is telling us, "Hey, you're doing unhealthy things to me." Your depression is a warning signal coming from your mind to tell you to stop making the bad choices. Good choices, on the other hand, have been proven to lessen or eliminate depression.

Well, about a week after I stopped taking the pain meds, I started exercising for 20 minutes a day. Now I am up to 30 minutes a day. Every day that I have exercised I have not been depressed. One day I made the mistake of sleeping in and not exercising. I sulked around unmotivated and fell back into my old gloom-and-doom mindset. I started reading some stuff about trauma on the Internet. By the end of the day I was feeling depressed - due to my bad choices. The next day I made sure I exercised and made better choices. I hate being depressed! It's much more work than exercising.

Okay, so here's my challenge to anyone here who is suffering depression (and even if you're not): Get up earlier than usual and exercise for at least 20 minutes for the next five days.

I'm not going to challenge you to a big long list of new goals. Just this one for starters. This will be one new good choice for you to make for the next five days. You see, the body creates chemicals that fight depression. These chemicals are released when you exercise. After I exercise, I feel like I can take on the world! My fears dissipate. I become stronger than the depression and it goes away.

After you exercise, go to your computer and post your progress on this thread (i.e. "I jogged in place for 20 minutes from 8:00am to 8:20am.") After a week of doing this we can discuss if we are feeling better or worse.

I am confident that our minds are stronger than trauma, grief, and depression. We are either going to let them master us, or we are going to master them.

:cool:

[InTheory]

whoa...now THERE'S a challenge...

Thanks for throwing the gauntlet down, Voyager.

I am sure that you're right!

:)

-Dan

[Willow]

I've been exercising 60 min 3x a week for the last 5 months. It does help. My feminine figure benefits from it as well :)\

[Voyager]

Awesome news Willow. Would you say it has helped you keep from being depressed?

:cool:

[jane]

I have read tons of stuff on this one voyager and exercising DOES help depression.

This is because you release sertonins (is that the right word? jane whispers to our nursing friends)

I am told that joggers are addicted to running because the same chemicals in our brains are released that are like being on cocaine.

I always feel better when I walk.

I am told that the real sunlight reduces depression so that outdoor exercise is better than indoor.

The problem that I always have with an exercising routine is NOT that it doesn't work-- it does really-- is with me staying with it.

Ok I am game, I'll try walking this week and let you know.


jane

[jane]

WAIT A MINUTE did I just commit to exercising for 5 days a week at 20 minutes a day:eek: :eek: :eek:


How about 3 days, that is more realistic for me. I will give you a report of 3 days of 20 minutes. If I do more than that so be it.


jane

[Willow]

starting small is a good first step! I only committed to 1 time a week when I first started. It keeps you motivated to do more if you start with baby steps.

[Jerry]

I have read tons of stuff on this one voyager and exercising DOES help depression.

This is because you release sertonins (is that the right word? jane whispers to our nursing friends)

I am told that joggers are addicted to running because the same chemicals in our brains are released that are like being on cocaine.

I always feel better when I walk.

I am told that the real sunlight reduces depression so that outdoor exercise is better than indoor.

The problem that I always have with an exercising routine is NOT that it doesn't work-- it does really-- is with me staying with it.

Ok I am game, I'll try walking this week and let you know.


jane
Dear Jane,,,
Your feet are to the fire on this,,,,,,,,,looks like a 7 day commitment to me,,,,,,hahahahaha
Love Jerry :D

[SpinningHead]

Okay, so here's my challenge to anyone here who is suffering depression (and even if you're not): Get up earlier than usual and exercise for at least 20 minutes for the next five days.



Voyager! BABY! You're killin' me here! :p

[Pinkie Pie]

This is just the motivation I need! I have been trying to motivate myself to commit to exercise for years! And I have battled mild depression - not debilitating but to where it is hard to concentrate or make decisions, or where I tend to have a very negative thought life.

Okay, I accept the challenge. Lessee I guess that 5 days will put me into Sunday, so I'll give my report Monday.

:)

[Leslie]

I heard from a psychologist that the feeling of frustration is related to the chemical changes that result in depression. I know in my life I've felt frustrated independent of my choices. It's frustrating to be misunderstood, accused, mistreated, etc. That said, I agree that choices play a vital role in healing depression. Exercise does wonderful things for endorphins. I'm so glad Voyager mentioned this natural remedy, as the common SSRI therapy can (rarely) result in serotonin toxicity which has a host of problems. Including hair loss and difficulty thinking.

[Jerry]

I'm so glad Voyager mentioned this natural remedy, as the common SSRI therapy can (rarely) result in serotonin toxicity which has a host of problems. Including hair loss and difficulty thinking.
HOLY SHIT !!!!!!!,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Is THAT why my frickin hair is falling out????????

[Janice]

Whatever works for you Voyager but this is not a place of "challenges".

Now it sounds to me like you're doing the exact same thing you've accused others of.....Coming in here and trying to "fix" us.

Thanks but no thanks.

[Hope 98]

just to throw out something to put this in perspective.

I was having marital problems 20 years ago. I had two children at the time, one young enough to ride in a stroller. So every night after dinner I walked him in the stroller around the neighborhood for at least 30 minutes, and after the kids were asleep, I walked again, by myself for as long as I could possibly get away with it.

I lost a lot of weight - but then I had a hard time eating at that time too.

Anyway - the point is that the problem was in my relationship with my husband who was totally unwilling to contribute to a solution.

I guess this is one of those things that has been pounding me in the head for so long - if only I would change this that or the other thing in myself - I would have no problems...

Aside from that - yes excercise and sunlight do improve anyone's mood. I've got a stationary bike & I'll give it a shot. as soon as I find a plce to put it.

[Voyager]

Whatever works for you Voyager but this is not a place of "challenges".
Sorry I offended you. That was not my intention. I see no reason why we shouldn't challenge each other here. I am not trying to force a new religion on someone, nor am I preaching legalistic sermons trying to "fix" people here. Those are the types of "fixing" posts that the members of this forum usually have issues with, including myself.

If you don't want to accept the challenge then you are not obligated. I have found exercise to relieve my depression, which many of us have suffered from here. I felt like I found something that helped me and I wanted to share it. If I can help someone else by sharing what has worked for me in the process, I see that as a good thing. What's wrong with friends challenging each other to workout? Who knows if it couldn't save someone from having heart problems later in life?

Would to God I had a friend who would challenge me to workout with them. I would go with them in a heartbeat. If you feel differently, then don't knock me for it. That's your opinion - it's not a forum rule. Please don't turn this well-meaning thread into a volatile debate.

The challenge remains. Take what you need and leave the rest.

:cool:

[Voyager]

I guess this is one of those things that has been pounding me in the head for so long - if only I would change this that or the other thing in myself - I would have no problems...
I think that as long as we are human, we will always have problems. If we can find healthy ways to take our mind off them, it can improve the quality of life for us. God knows I have used a lot of unhealthy things to take my mind off them.

:cool:

[SpinningHead]

A bit of advice from our admin...

4) Some of the best advice I've ever received about online groups:
Take what works and leave the rest.
If you don't read what you need to read, write what you need to read.
Respond rather than react.
Empathize rather than advise.
Focus. (We love your pets too! But this forum is about spiritual abuse. Talk to us about how you are doing with that.)
Talk about yourself and your own issues.

If Voyager or anyone finds a way to cope with the SA & its aftermath...then I for one want to read about it and maybe I'll learn a thing or two.

Of course, now I feel bad that Voyager wrote about starting your day off with 20 minutes of exercise and as I type this, I'm munching on a butter cookie. :rolleyes:

[Willow]

Yes... and I have missed 2 days of working out after telling everyone I had been working out 3x a week! I can catch up tomorrow and at least get 2x in.... but only if my tumm has stopped hurting!

[Willow]

Voyager... I didn't sense any pressure coming from you. I sensed enthusiasm and relief that something was finally working. I guess it could be taken the wrong way due to the word "challenge" but it didn't come across badly to me personally.

[Katie]

I usually exercise 40 minutes, 4 days a week.

I am struggling more with motivation this fall than I ever have. I just feel so tired all of the time and wish I could sleep. It's really hard for me to know if I just need to snap out of it and start thinking positive, or if this is part of recovering, or perhaps it's just my age (midlife).

As far as creating good brain chemistry, I think for me it's offset by the fact that I get up at 5 in the morning, which is part of why I'm tired.

Sorry, I'm so pessimistic lately, I can hardly stand myself. :(

Jerry, ROFLMA!!!!

[Tim]

Thanks for bringing up this good topic, Voyager. I was a physical mess when I began alcoholism recovery. After stopping drinking eight years ago, I began a regular program of exercise and good nutrition. I've been at it ever since with the result of significantly better overall health.

I exercise 60 minutes a day, most days of the week. I do aerobics, strength training and flexibility exercises. The research evidence is pretty clear that exercise and fitness can be very helpful to us.

That said, I do not judge those who choose not to exercise. They have their reasons; I have mine. It works for me!

There are lots of good books, newletters and web sites available with good information on fitness.

[Leslie]

I don't mean to state the obvious, but as a little nudge, those with fatigue might do well to get a check-up. Make sure your thyroid functioning, blood chemistry and the like look okay.

Leslie

[gwen]

Hi Voyager!

I've been gone this week and WOW! what a thread that you started about exercise! I'm glad to hear that this is helping you with your depression. I know that this is something that is quite helpful, but I'm not ready to make any commitments to exercise! I used to have a treadmill, which I loved, but I gave it to our former "church" when the "pastor" was pressuring everyone to give until it hurts..."I will not sacrifice that which cost me nothing!" Jesus told the rich, young ruler to sell all that he had, you know. Anyway, the possessions that people donated got sold, so I lost my treadmill (definitely one of my big regrets!) I live in Ohio, and it's starting to get cold here and I'm not motivated to get outside in the cold (that's why I got a treadmill in the first place!) I can't really afford to buy another treadmill right now or join a fitness club, though I have heard that there are a few now that you can pay a monthly fee instead of purchasing an expensive contract, so I have been considering looking into that.

I do agree that we make our own choices, including those involving our recovery, but we are human beings, so sometimes we won't always make the right choices. I think that if we "fall off the wagon", whether it be drinking, not eating healthy foods, not exercising, etc. we have to be careful that we don't start condemning ourselves. Recently, my sister-in-law, when I told her that I was struggling with depression, told me that I needed to be kind to myself. I thought that that was excellent advice. To do the best that I can for myself and my family and if I mess up, not to beat myself up over it. After all, I've always heard that depression is anger turned inward. Exercising is a way to help yourself. Congratulations on this progress in your life!

Gwen

[Tim]

Hi Voyager!

I can't really afford to buy another treadmill right now or join a fitness club, though I have heard that there are a few now that you can pay a monthly fee instead of purchasing an expensive contract, so I have been considering looking into that.

If you check out the newspaper ads for used exercise equipment, you can get some really sweet deals, and most of the stuff has hardly been used. Also, the local YMCA is often really reasonable in cost, usually with no fee to join.

[gwen]

If you check out the newspaper ads for used exercise equipment, you can get some really sweet deals, and most of the stuff has hardly been used. Also, the local YMCA is often really reasonable in cost, usually with no fee to join.

Thanks for the suggestions!