Exercising with anxiety and depression.

I have dealt with depression and anxiety since my teen years, though it took me over 10 years to seek help. It can be overwhelming.

I'm doing pretty well right now with the help of supportive family (including my 3 older kids), regular exercise, "mood exercises" (positive self talk, meditation, etc) and finding the right medication for me.

You're not alone. There are still days when getting out of bed is my achievement for the day. On the good days, do what you can to maintain the positivity and "fill your tank" so that you have something to fall back on when the bad days come. Even then, there may be days when waking up is your big success. And that's okay. Just try to not dwell in them.

Get the help you need. Counseling can make a big difference. And, if you are bipolar, medication may be a necessity. (I was originally diagnosed as bipolar, but it ends up that it's more depression, anxiety, super high self-expectations, and ADD ... mental health can sometimes be tricky because there's not a blood test or anything to pinpoint what all is going on).

hi, i have atypical depression and anxiety since fifth grade.
sometimes it's hard to get going. sometimes, the brownie looks better than exercising.
I've learned i need to be kind to myself. there are going to be successes and failures and it's just part of life. I exercise in the morning and get my lunch and gym bag packed the night before. if i'm running outside, i sleep in my workout clothes.
i find new workout clothes can be a motivator too. cause i feel happy and comfortable in them.
I also give myself permission to have mental health days(sick days) because sometimes, i just need to be at home and regroup.
also, not all medications will work for all people. if you don't like one after a few weeks, let the doctor know and why you don't like it.
I've been on nearly all of them and finally found ones that work for me. but it took a while

s_kelaris wrote: »

I have anxiety and have been on medication for years. I have found that even though i have ZERO motivation, if a exercise regardless and am consistent, mentally I feel much better.

Zero motivation here. I exercise anyway, and enjoy it. I even look forward to it when everything else sucks.

Taking a walk outdoors for an hour in the morning, then an hour in the late afternoon/eve is big medicine for both conditions. This is literally true.

I also have anxiety and depression. I'm not bipolar but I am agoraphobic with OCD.
I can relate to the struggle.
I am my biggest critic, which puts me in a food-hate cycle.
I have set up a small support group for people who struggle with motivation if you want to join? Just pop me a message.

Nope you are not alone. I have never had a doctor that has told me anything is wrong, but I do know what it is like to go through depression and extreme mood swings. If you need a friend, feel free to add me. I am on here a lot and some days I need the extra encouragement as well.

I am a counselling student and have lived with my own depression and anxiety for a few years now and am managing it rather well without medication. I have some pointers and tips if you're interested:
-Since you're a stay-at-home mom you can try to incorporate fun exercise into your daily routine with your kiddos; since we're into spring now getting outside and getting some fresh air will be fun.
-Lack of motivation is characteristic of depression; sometimes having somebody to keep you accountable is what is needed, even on days where you don't feel like doing much of anything. Try to find some friends on MFP or friend in your real life who are also on a weight loss journey.
-As difficult as it is to get moving, people who exercise regularly experience less depressive and anxious symptoms and can learn to manage the symptoms more efficiently. Exercise causes a spike in several neurotransmitters associated with happiness!
-On days when you are feeling well, make the most of it! Do your meal prep, get in a workout, and enjoy the day.
-It may sound horribly tacky but affirmations also work for managing depression and anxiety. Simply saying some positive affirmations to yourself several times throughout the day will change your patterns of thinking and before long you'll believe the affirmation to be true. An example would be: "I am happy and healthy" "I am in control of my life" "I can achieve a balanced lifestyle"
Hope this helps

Ah I think we've all had those moments when it's just hard to get out of bed or off the couch and get going ..to different degrees ofcourse. What has helped me is setting up short and long term goals and create a routine that will help me get closer to those goals. You'll have good days and bad days but if you work your goals into your routine you'll turn around one day and realize inspite of everything your are doing ok.

clmarlar wrote: »

So over the past few years I have developed depression and my anxiety has gotten the best of me. And my doctor also told me I am slightly bipolar! Which came as a shock but as she explained made since. Anyways... I have gained weight and am no longer happy with myself which makes me unhappy in general. Are there are people out there who suffer from the same things I am? I am also a stay at home mother of three little ones. How do you do it? How can I do it? Motivation is key... having depression causes me to seriously lack in this department. I just need to feel like I'm not alone. Help me out yall. It would be nice to hear from people in my situation. Thanks. And please also try to refrain from negativity. Xoxo

I have general anxiety disorder and suffered from cyclical depression since 2008. Exercise is one of the two things that prevent me from relapsing into major depression, the other being mbsr (mindfulness based stress reduction)

If you can join a gym, even better, classes are good and it embodies a social element to it, although I appreciate you're a mum.