Best Exercise for Mental Health

[Slowboathome]

I'm suffering a severe case of lockdown blues and anxiety, like many of the population I guess, although my mental health has never been brilliant. There's some bad stuff going on in my life which I don't want to get into here, at least not at the moment. Suffice to say I'm getting some counselling.

Anyway, the point of my post is to ask if anyone has any recommendations for exercise/training regimes that are good for people struggling with anxiety and depression? A big constraint for me is that I've been told not to lift heavy weights following a heart-related stroke 4 years ago. I used to find intensive gym sessions gave me a real boost but that was a few years back. I'm not currently a gym member, and tbh I'm a bit twitchy about using one because of the Covid stuff.

I'm currently doing a fair bit of walking but it doesn't seem to be helping me mentally.

So, I guess my question is: which exercise helps your mood the most?

[Fatball]

Walking but places of interest to me, mountains and forests for instance. Not being able to get to these places lately has made things difficult so can’t wait to get back there.

[mcelliott]

I do lots of cycling, and gym work, but the thing that trumps anything I do is sea swimming, incredible mental health benefits, and to a lesser extent walking.

[Cfnteabag]

This may be very personal to me but I always found when I am struggling with my mental health, the best phiz for me is something that hurts. I don't mean hitting yourself with a stick but going for a run and upping the pace until it is a real struggle to maintain then give myself a goal, might be do a mile at this pace or it might be continue to the next lamppost.

This can be set to your own level, if you are not able to run, increase walking pace for a set period then rest.

As I said this is what helps me, allows me to get out of my head and give something else to focus on.

[hajaba123]

For me, lifting weights to a program where I don’t have to think and can see my progress. It’s hit me with the gyms being closed so I got an air dyne last week for a bit of mindless cardio while watching YouTube
If someone was asking the best for them mentally then I’d probably say the one that they can stick with regularly and frequently

[grumbledoak]

Long distance running is rather bit like meditation - you have something repetitive to focus on, let your mind drift and drag it back, repeat.

And of course simply being tired helps you sleep.

[a311]

Defiantly an advocate for running. Need nothing other than a pair of trainers and walk out the front door. I'll often to listen to a podcast or whatver, got back into running during lockdown and up to 10 miles now for a longer weekend run.

As a big galoot with poor flexibility I did a 30 day yoga thing and saw a lot of benefits from that.

I'd have thought mindfulness and mediation was a load of tosh until I tried it.

[Hoofy]

Tai Chi!

[K12beano]

I've seen a couple of apps like "Running from Zombies" and I wonder if there's anything like that which would pep up the daily walk sometimes. Anyone?

Hoofy said:

Tai Chi!

I've heard that - but (and I may just be alone here) WTF is it? I mean I can see some You Tube stuff but I don't really "get" it. How does it work? Any links to anything useful for beginners online?

[Pothole]

Do you know anyone with a dog they can lend you?

[motorizer]

Climbing is good...boulder problems in particular can give you a workout whilst also giving you a bit of a puzzle to solve and keep your mind occupied. While a longer route will keep you focused.

However, it's probably not the best time of year to start outdoors, and indoors will be as crowded as a gym...

Worth thinking about though.

Edited by motorizer on Sunday 29th November 15:34

[Hoofy]

K12beano said:

Hoofy said:

Tai Chi!

I've heard that - but (and I may just be alone here) WTF is it? I mean I can see some You Tube stuff but I don't really "get" it. How does it work? Any links to anything useful for beginners online?

Fair questions!

Let's set aside the idea that it's a martial art because whilst there are some teachers who can teach it as a martial art, most teachers teach it as a healthy exercise system and, let's face it, most students want to learn it as that.

So I guess the question is: how can you benefit from it especially if you're like the OPer?

The simple movements require you to focus on the movement. Additionally, you perform the movements slowly. This slow focus helps with reducing anxiety. And then the fact that you're moving and stepping around will burn some calories (not a lot) but you're also holding and moving slowly through positions with your legs bent, sometimes on one leg, which all helps to stimulate balance and improve strength for those who would normally just sit on a couch all day. (Time under tension.)

Yes, you could hit the gym and do barbell squats and bulgarian squats (which I highly recommend) but if you are like the OPer (who was told to not lift weights) then a way of stimulating the legs via weight-bearing exercise without putting yourself in an early grave is tai chi.

I actually teach it for mental and physical health, and can send you a link to a free video if you message me.

[Slowboathome]

Thank you very much to everyone who has taken the time to reply, and for the suggestions. I appreciate it.

[Squadrone Rosso]

Depends on your physical health. I have autoimmune arthritis (PSA) and a very knackered back.

After a 15 year hiatus, I took up cycling again in June & it’s helped all round.

I suffer with bouts of poor MH (linked to the physical side in the main) & I’m on a shed load of tablets inc happy tablets but I feel better now than I’ve done in 15 years.

Good luck with what you settle on.

[Fermit and Sexy Sarah]

Pothole said:

Do you know anyone with a dog they can lend you?

Or, there are many dogs out there needing adoption. They're great companions for a walk, as well as company, of sorts.

[K12beano]

Hoofy said:

“Stuff”.

Thank you - I’m thinking this sounds more and more interesting.

[Hoofy]

K12beano said:

Hoofy said:

“Stuff”.

Thank you - I’m thinking this sounds more and more interesting.

It's why I've been doing it for a couple of decades.

I do gym work, too. This is what I call "active rest."

[ColdoRS]

I fit the PH ‘powerfully built’ stereotype, so I’ll never be a good runner, which is unfortunate as I rank running as the best thing for my physical and mental fitness.

Running a fast (relative) 5km requires 24m11s of mental fortitude to suppress and overcome the pain and intense desire to stop or give up or accept defeat when things get progressively more uncomfortable. Alternatively, running a slow and steady 10km can be almost relaxing for me - leave the headphones at home and just breathe and think about things.

Edited by ColdoRS on Monday 30th November 12:29

[Don1]

Anything that pushes you enough to release endorphins....

[dalenorth]

Maybe try some E-biking? You don’t have to be Lance Armstrong on an E and you’ll do some great exploring and meet lots of people. A little meditation might also help.