Posted by JLx on August 19, 2006, at 11:08:16
In reply to Exercise and depression, posted by Bob on August 5, 2006, at 17:00:55
Exercise unquestionably helps my depression. Especially since I started taking magnesium, which alone helped my depression considerably.
Since magnesium is depleted with exercise, perhaps that is one reason why exercise may seem to exacerbate some people's depression?
Also in my case, when I was extremely depressed I couldn't stand to be alone with my thoughts as they were tormenting. I had to listen to books on tape when I walked so I could have some peace. If people think negatively while exercising, perhaps it could lead to feeling worse.
Having a dog is THE great motivator for me. When I have been too depressed to move I still would drag myself out there for my beloved pooch. When she was young it was to burn off some of that exuberance that would otherwise result in barking and tearing around. When she was older it was for her arthritis and cognition. The difference was obvious when we didn't walk.
In the last year she was ill and then died. I didn't walk much for months and I really noticed the difference in myself. Now I have a new young dog again and off I go.
JL
> I was wondering if a few of you could weigh in on exercise as it relates to serious depression. I have always heard people say that exercise helps depression, but I almost have to laugh when this is brought up. The only thing I can gather is that it helps in light to moderate cases. Maybe I'm much sicker than others I've heard of, but I am rarely able to engage in physical exercise because of my depression, and on the infrequent occasions when I could, instead of making me feel better, I have some sort of strage rebound type effect that makes my problems significantly worse in the ensuing days, if not immediately. I've never been able to figure out why the counterintuitive effect occurs, seemingly contradicting a large body of evidence and advice I've come across over the years.
poster:JLx
thread:674827
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20060818/msgs/678075.html