Does exercise affect the mental health?

angelmariya
angelmariya Online Community Member Posts: 14 Listener
in Mental health and wellbeing

I feel stress or anxiety types so do you think like exercise affect the mental health in good way.

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  • onmylonesome
    onmylonesome Online Community Member Posts: 603 Empowering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/143813/does-exercise-affect-the-mental-health

    I do a lot of walking and it certainly helps my MH!

  • Pamela1509debbie
    Pamela1509debbie Online Community Member Posts: 21 Contributor

    Yes. I hugely struggle with constant pain and Fatigue and have an Assistance Dog for my Autism and CPTSD. I'm not only glad I have him for my mental health but the fact it forces me into having to exercise. Don't get me wrong, some days I just can't, my Son will take him alone, my Dog would probably also love to go alot further BUT when I can go, the difference in my mental health is huge!. It can be a real challenge even just the thought of it most days but the second I've done it it massively helps me emotionally and can help lift my mind from a really dark place 😊

  • angelmariya
    angelmariya Online Community Member Posts: 14 Listener

    Thank you for your comment

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 4,096 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

    It can be hard to motivate myself to do exercise or to go for a walk but once I've done it, I do feel a bit better mentally for it @angelmariya 😊 Does it help you?

  • Ross1975
    Ross1975 Online Community Member Posts: 753 Trailblazing

    I've heard a lot about how it's good for mental health. However I try to exercise everyday and it makes no difference to how I feel at all.

  • MissMarple
    MissMarple Online Community Member Posts: 354 Empowering

    Exercise was always a boost to my mental health. Long walks calmed me down and regular workouts lifted my spirits in general. I am now unable to do any kind of exercise due to post-exertional malaise, and it's awful that I've lost this outlet.

    What kind of exercise do you do @Ross1975 ? Do you think it's that you don't enjoy certain types of movement, or it just doesn't change your mood?

  • SwiftFox
    SwiftFox Online Community Member Posts: 621 Trailblazing

    Any outdoor exercise is good for you, even if it's only ten minutes walking to the shops will give your mind a different aspect to life

  • WhatThe
    WhatThe Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 5,380 Championing
    edited February 9
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/143813/does-exercise-affect-the-mental-health

    Hello angelmariya and welcome to Scope!

    Of course exercise improves our mental health. We need daylight, fresh air and movement to function properly and sleep well. We simply aren't designed to be indoors/inactive/horizontal/staring at a screen all day.

  • Ross1975
    Ross1975 Online Community Member Posts: 753 Trailblazing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1100511#Comment_1100511

    I lift weights, use a rowing machine, and sometimes go for walks.

  • Hopeless
    Hopeless Online Community Member, Scope Member Posts: 999 Pioneering

    I do livestream exercise classes on zoom as it’s hard for me to get out and about. They definitely help and they’re part of the way I cope with severe mental illness. They don’t ‘cure’ me but they do help.

  • SwiftFox
    SwiftFox Online Community Member Posts: 621 Trailblazing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1100574#Comment_1100574

    Really?

  • angelmariya
    angelmariya Online Community Member Posts: 14 Listener

    I got so many kind responses, thank you for making me feel good.

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 3,334 Championing

    When I was mobile - I used to go on 20mile cycles to get fit and help my MH

  • Tumilty
    Tumilty Online Community Member Posts: 469 Empowering

    I wake up feeling dreadful, the anxiety & thoughts start & until i get out bed, put kettle on & feed birds i feel ****.. Years ago i took loads of meds & went back under sheets for the day but can't now or i'd get worse, i have to force myself or that'd be that

  • Ross1975
    Ross1975 Online Community Member Posts: 753 Trailblazing

    The fact you’re still able to get up and take action in the face of feeling so dreadful is really commendable.

    Keep being kind to yourself for what you manage each day.

  • deborah275
    deborah275 Online Community Member Posts: 4 Listener

    I would have to say YES 🙂

    I don't have much money thanks to being out of employment due to MS but I try to exercise everyday-but no gyms for me….

    Going up & downstairs a few times gets me out of breath & keeps those glutes in shape.

    Doing a few rounds with the vacuum cleaner is also good for an all over work out!

    Manually doing the washing up gets me out of breath!

    I love exercise I feel better & it helps me sleep, if you can do it it's brill & it doesn't have to be gym work outs!

    I feel for those that can't though ☹️

  • Holly_Scope
    Holly_Scope Posts: 4,746 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    edited February 13

    @angelmariya I get anxious and overwhelmed and find exercise hugely beneficial for my mental health. It supports my sleep and really reduces over thinking too. The physical benefits in turn also help my mental health.

    I get anxious going out sometimes, and know a gym would be a lot for me right now, so do a lot of home workouts on YouTube and have a treadmill for getting steps in. Hope that's helpful to you. 😊

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