EVERYONE should exercise!
March 6, 2019 at 8:10 am
(This post was last modified: March 6, 2019 at 8:12 am by EgoDeath.)
Something I've been talking about with friends recently is the general lack of exercise that most Americans seem to get. I think the benefits of physical exercise are well-documented, but I'd like to take a moment here in the 'Lifestyle & Personal Matters' area of the forum to talk about exercise and lifestyle.
Exercise is ABSOLUTELY instrumental in my life, and while I'm not some fitness guru or gym rat (in fact I'm often quite annoyed by those people on Instagram and other social media platforms) I definitely think that working out benefits me emotionally as well as physically. The fact is, even with suffering from Major Depressive Disorder (diagnosed by a licensed therapist), I simply feel better the days that I work up a sweat. When you work out, you become aware of your breathing and your body, and after a good session you just feel better. You get a better idea of how your body moves and feels and sweating and breathing hard actually feels good.
Exercise isn't some cure-all, and I think that needs to be stated explicitly. I've heard people tell others who suffer from depression things like, "You just to get up and exercise," which is insanely dismissive and a testament to how little people really understand about mental illness. However... as sanctimonious as it might sound... you WILL feel better. It doesn't mean you're going to stop being depressed or suddenly be cured of your schizophrenia (obviously), but I do think it can move the meter towards you having a good day and improving your self-esteem a bit.
How do you guys feel about exercise and mental/emotional health? I've personally had positive experiences and would like to hear what others think. Has it helped you? Is it totally pointless? What's your take?
I'm truly of the opinion that EVERYONE should exercise, within reason. Obviously, some physical ailments are going to prevent people from exerting themselves physically to a certain extent.
Exercise is ABSOLUTELY instrumental in my life, and while I'm not some fitness guru or gym rat (in fact I'm often quite annoyed by those people on Instagram and other social media platforms) I definitely think that working out benefits me emotionally as well as physically. The fact is, even with suffering from Major Depressive Disorder (diagnosed by a licensed therapist), I simply feel better the days that I work up a sweat. When you work out, you become aware of your breathing and your body, and after a good session you just feel better. You get a better idea of how your body moves and feels and sweating and breathing hard actually feels good.
Exercise isn't some cure-all, and I think that needs to be stated explicitly. I've heard people tell others who suffer from depression things like, "You just to get up and exercise," which is insanely dismissive and a testament to how little people really understand about mental illness. However... as sanctimonious as it might sound... you WILL feel better. It doesn't mean you're going to stop being depressed or suddenly be cured of your schizophrenia (obviously), but I do think it can move the meter towards you having a good day and improving your self-esteem a bit.
How do you guys feel about exercise and mental/emotional health? I've personally had positive experiences and would like to hear what others think. Has it helped you? Is it totally pointless? What's your take?
I'm truly of the opinion that EVERYONE should exercise, within reason. Obviously, some physical ailments are going to prevent people from exerting themselves physically to a certain extent.
If you're frightened of dying, and you're holding on, you'll see devils tearing your life away. But if you've made your peace, then the devils are really angels, freeing you from the Earth.
