Does exercising make you less depressed?

TheFitHooker
TheFitHooker Posts: 3,357 Member
Basically I am wondering if exercising on a regular bases has an effect on depression? I am typically a depressed person, well I never realized I was till recent, I've noticed that I really feel happier about myself when I work out. Like yesterday I didn't work out at all and I was really down and depressed. It's not the first time I've not worked out but was the first time I really noticed the mood change.

Replies

  • zoe4friends
    zoe4friends Posts: 727 Member
    I know it definitely makes me energized and happier.
  • sweebum
    sweebum Posts: 1,060 Member
    Huge difference in my personal experience. Enough that I exercise for that reason above losing weight.
  • Kymmu
    Kymmu Posts: 1,650 Member
    Without a doubt, all of those feel good happy hormones are released.
  • mamamc03
    mamamc03 Posts: 1,067 Member
    Yes yes yESSSS!!! A therapist I went to said that 45 min of moderate exercise each day is equal to a low dose antidepressant. that being said...dont stop taking the antidepressants without consent from your doctor!
    Also, a handful of walnuts will have a similar effect!!

    Congrats on your new sunnier disposition!
  • upsidedownpear
    upsidedownpear Posts: 101 Member
    a BIGGG YESSS !!! and my PMS isn't bad either!
  • KaleidoscopeEyes1056
    KaleidoscopeEyes1056 Posts: 2,996 Member
    it makes me less stressed out!
  • TheFitHooker
    TheFitHooker Posts: 3,357 Member
    I'm not medicated lol, I have only ever been medicated for depression once.

    Yes the less depressed feeling is worth enough to keep to it.
  • Tdk4685
    Tdk4685 Posts: 293 Member
    I think it helps alot. I just feel better over all and I have more energy since I started exercising.
  • annabellj
    annabellj Posts: 1,337 Member
    yes yes and yes, to quote Legally Blonde, she works out, endorphins equal happy, happy people arent depressed! I can totally tell when I need to go. and my husband can also. definitely helps with stress also. the chemicals released when exercising are supposed to be the same released while having sex and I am definitely happy then!
  • kellyscomeback
    kellyscomeback Posts: 1,369 Member
    I say yes, I feel better about myself, what I wear and how I look. I should clarify, I take the time to make sure I look good and it makes me feel good about myself.
  • Its all about the Endorphins. The bodys natural feel good drug.
  • Amberetta82
    Amberetta82 Posts: 153 Member
    My boyfriend told me tonight that he can tell that I am happier just in this week!! It definitely helps. Especially for me since I tend to have seasonal depression. Working out makes me feel accomplished because I am continually getting better and better!
  • sarah307
    sarah307 Posts: 1,363 Member
    YES YES YES YES

    exercise = endorphins = natural mood boosters!!! = decreased depression!!!

    i have actually been able to decrease (not completely off!) my anti-depressants since i started running!
  • bmqbonnie
    bmqbonnie Posts: 836 Member
    Yes, very much so. There are plenty of studies published in medical journals to support this.

    I was diagnosed with depression a few years ago. I had it under control but a stressful situation brought it back and I realized it and stress were the reason that I felt nauseous all the time. I didn't know what else to do so I worked out. Haven't looked back since :) I definitely notice a difference in mood if I go more than a couple days without it. I don't do drugs or therapy. IMO exercise is the #1 best thing you can do for all but the most extremely severe cases of depression.
  • KaleidoscopeEyes1056
    KaleidoscopeEyes1056 Posts: 2,996 Member
    yes yes and yes, to quote Legally Blonde, she works out, endorphins equal happy, happy people arent depressed! I can totally tell when I need to go. and my husband can also. definitely helps with stress also. the chemicals released when exercising are supposed to be the same released while having sex and I am definitely happy then!

    sex = best exercise ever!!
  • finchase
    finchase Posts: 174
    Oh yes, I think so. I can even tell the difference when I don't get up early and go work out. I don't have any energy when I go in to work, and I just feel wrong. When I get up early to work out, even though I've had less sleep, I feel better.
  • Umeboshi
    Umeboshi Posts: 1,637 Member
    All of my therapists and psychiatrists have encouraged exercise as a relief for depression. :D It's definitely known to help.
  • NaturalinCO
    NaturalinCO Posts: 164 Member
    It amazed me when it first occurred to me, but I definitely can tell when I have exercised and when I haven't!! And no exercise makes for a rough, depressed day for me!! I also added omega 3 fish oil to my diet and boy has that helped!! It's so worth it to FEEL good!! Good luck to you!
  • annabellj
    annabellj Posts: 1,337 Member
    yes yes and yes, to quote Legally Blonde, she works out, endorphins equal happy, happy people arent depressed! I can totally tell when I need to go. and my husband can also. definitely helps with stress also. the chemicals released when exercising are supposed to be the same released while having sex and I am definitely happy then!

    sex = best exercise ever!!
    um stupid question, how do you add that as an exercise? it isnt listed lol
  • RawkChick
    RawkChick Posts: 24 Member
    yes yes and yes, to quote Legally Blonde, she works out, endorphins equal happy, happy people arent depressed! I can totally tell when I need to go. and my husband can also. definitely helps with stress also. the chemicals released when exercising are supposed to be the same released while having sex and I am definitely happy then!

    "....happy people don't kill their husbands...they just don't!"

    I love that movie.
  • t_rog
    t_rog Posts: 363 Member
    what i can say is that, when i was really in a terrible place and heartbroken, exercising a lot pulled me out of it. it was something i could throw myself into and really dedicate myself to.
  • t_rog
    t_rog Posts: 363 Member
    yes yes and yes, to quote Legally Blonde, she works out, endorphins equal happy, happy people arent depressed! I can totally tell when I need to go. and my husband can also. definitely helps with stress also. the chemicals released when exercising are supposed to be the same released while having sex and I am definitely happy then!

    sex = best exercise ever!!
    um stupid question, how do you add that as an exercise? it isnt listed lol

    agreed. that IS the best exercise ever! and people log it under a number of things....i think "calisthenics" was the most common.
  • jchester71
    jchester71 Posts: 124 Member
    If you have a physical brain chemistry problem then working out is definitely very helpful. The newest research is showing results from regular vigorous exercise that is far better than use and antidepressants, while antidepressants + exercises shows not advantage over exercise alone. You may have heard the term "runners high" and it is very real. I tend to have a very melancholy personality too, before I came to know the Lord I went through extended periods of deep depression and even now once or twice a years I have a few days of inexplicable melancholy. A good book that has helped me a lot is "out of the blues" by Wayne Mack.
  • KaleidoscopeEyes1056
    KaleidoscopeEyes1056 Posts: 2,996 Member
    yes yes and yes, to quote Legally Blonde, she works out, endorphins equal happy, happy people arent depressed! I can totally tell when I need to go. and my husband can also. definitely helps with stress also. the chemicals released when exercising are supposed to be the same released while having sex and I am definitely happy then!

    sex = best exercise ever!!
    um stupid question, how do you add that as an exercise? it isnt listed lol

    agreed. that IS the best exercise ever! and people log it under a number of things....i think "calisthenics" was the most common.

    I wanted to add it to my personal exercise database under the name "The 'Ol In-Out" quoting A Clockwork Orange, but I decided that would be TMI for most of my friends. But then again, when things are TMI for most of my friends, when has it ever stopped me before??
  • TheFitHooker
    TheFitHooker Posts: 3,357 Member
    yes yes and yes, to quote Legally Blonde, she works out, endorphins equal happy, happy people arent depressed! I can totally tell when I need to go. and my husband can also. definitely helps with stress also. the chemicals released when exercising are supposed to be the same released while having sex and I am definitely happy then!

    sex = best exercise ever!!
    um stupid question, how do you add that as an exercise? it isnt listed lol

    agreed. that IS the best exercise ever! and people log it under a number of things....i think "calisthenics" was the most common.

    I wanted to add it to my personal exercise database under the name "The 'Ol In-Out" quoting A Clockwork Orange, but I decided that would be TMI for most of my friends. But then again, when things are TMI for most of my friends, when has it ever stopped me before??

    LOL I always say if they don't like it they can skip it lol. TMI never bothered me, I am very opened about most things :P I have no shame haha.
  • KaleidoscopeEyes1056
    KaleidoscopeEyes1056 Posts: 2,996 Member
    yes yes and yes, to quote Legally Blonde, she works out, endorphins equal happy, happy people arent depressed! I can totally tell when I need to go. and my husband can also. definitely helps with stress also. the chemicals released when exercising are supposed to be the same released while having sex and I am definitely happy then!

    sex = best exercise ever!!
    um stupid question, how do you add that as an exercise? it isnt listed lol

    agreed. that IS the best exercise ever! and people log it under a number of things....i think "calisthenics" was the most common.

    I wanted to add it to my personal exercise database under the name "The 'Ol In-Out" quoting A Clockwork Orange, but I decided that would be TMI for most of my friends. But then again, when things are TMI for most of my friends, when has it ever stopped me before??

    LOL I always say if they don't like it they can skip it lol. TMI never bothered me, I am very opened about most things :P I have no shame haha.

    I'm a pretty offensive person, so I would assume they would be used to it by now!
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    Yes, but not being able to eat what I want balances that out. I'm going to figure out a way to eat what I want somehow, though. I have the time to work it off. Maybe by the end of it, I'll be the happiest person on earth. If not, well, maybe I'll be able to run cross country and bench press small vehicles?
  • t_rog
    t_rog Posts: 363 Member
    yes yes and yes, to quote Legally Blonde, she works out, endorphins equal happy, happy people arent depressed! I can totally tell when I need to go. and my husband can also. definitely helps with stress also. the chemicals released when exercising are supposed to be the same released while having sex and I am definitely happy then!

    sex = best exercise ever!!
    um stupid question, how do you add that as an exercise? it isnt listed lol

    agreed. that IS the best exercise ever! and people log it under a number of things....i think "calisthenics" was the most common.

    I wanted to add it to my personal exercise database under the name "The 'Ol In-Out" quoting A Clockwork Orange, but I decided that would be TMI for most of my friends. But then again, when things are TMI for most of my friends, when has it ever stopped me before??

    LOL I always say if they don't like it they can skip it lol. TMI never bothered me, I am very opened about most things :P I have no shame haha.

    I'm a pretty offensive person, so I would assume they would be used to it by now!

    Hahahahah! I have no shame either. Glad to know there's others like me :)
  • unsuspectingfish
    unsuspectingfish Posts: 1,176 Member
    A combination of exercise and a mostly "clean" diet, as they call it, have helped me feel less depressed. I've only had one really bad downward swing in mood since I started in May, but that's as opposed to feeling down all the time, so I'm taking it as a win.
  • annabellj
    annabellj Posts: 1,337 Member
    yes yes and yes, to quote Legally Blonde, she works out, endorphins equal happy, happy people arent depressed! I can totally tell when I need to go. and my husband can also. definitely helps with stress also. the chemicals released when exercising are supposed to be the same released while having sex and I am definitely happy then!

    "....happy people don't kill their husbands...they just don't!"

    I love that movie.
    thats what is was, i couldnt quite remember, blonde!
This discussion has been closed.