I find exercise one of the most effective methods of keeping my mood stable. The effects are generally immediate (depending on the severity of the mood episode), accumulative, and last for a long time. It's like putting money in the bank, the more often I do it, the longer I feel good!
Sometimes it's hard to schedule it in because life can be so hectic and then if you are depressed on top of that, it feels insurmountable! I've made the decision to put my health first, because if I don't have health, I won't be able to have much else.
If I notice I am overwhelmed and feeling bad, I like to give myself some time out. Relax, not push myself, do things I would normally enjoy (e.g., watch tv, read).
To really get myself to work out when I feel depressed is tough. So I trick myself. I tell myself I'll just get up. Then when I'm up I'll tell myself I'll just dress for the gym. And so on, until I'm finally at the gym and I've told myself all I have to do is walk on the treadmill for 5 minutes. More often than not I'll exceed 20 minutes. Sometimes I don't, and that's okay too.
The key is to say to yourself, "If I just reach this next step, I can stop if I truly want to. I don't have to go any further." I sometimes stop, most of the time I don't.
I have fallen off the exercise wagon. I think it began on Halloween with all the treats and candy and then of course Thanksgiving didn't help any and well...now is the most delicious time of the entire year to eat, be merry, and not think about exercise until...the new year's resolution time when we all beat ourselves up for not achieving last year's resolutions.
I know exercise is good for me and I do feel better when I do it...it is just...fitting it into my schedule. I am gonna do it...right after this piece of peppermint bark. Yeah that's the ticket. :>)
Thanks for the reminder.
MM
Exercise is the one basic thingIdo for myself that keeps me sane and stable. I can tell immediately (within a week) if I do not because my energy level drops and I begin to feel depressed and cranky. I try to do something like walk, lift weights or yoga- which is wonderful for the mind calming connection in bipolar, at least 5 days a week. It pays off in so many ways. I am more stable and even tempered, able to handle things without jumping off the broom and only a little tired - but it's a good tired. I don't don't want to sound preachy, but it should be mandetory for bipolar. JT
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I don't on any kind of basis unless random is a basis. I was into track, volleyball and softball all through school and played on local softball teams up until a few years ago.
Lately? Heck no. Unless yoga counts and I do that primarily for degenerative disc condition.
I know all the pluses of exercise for depression and I end up thinking about it telling myself I know I should and it ends there. Unless my son or one of my friends will go on a long walk with me.
People with great self discipline for exercise are 'wierd', lol, kidding.
I'm darn happy with myself to stay on top of day to day things and when I put away a clean load of laundry before there is another dirty load or two ready to go.
Mind and body are NOT agreeing at all.
I am right there with you azmntngirl! Like you, I know the importance of exercise with this illness (any illness for that matter), but I too am happy if I accomplish just one thing in a day. My energy level is very low and what's worse is that when I don't do anything, I feel even more down! It's a cycle I wish I could break.