Posted on 05/05/2019 5:22:16 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Most Tuesdays, I run early in the morning with a woman named Meredith. For such close friends, we’re quite different. Meredith is a voluble social worker who draws energy from crowds. I’m an introverted editor who works from home. Meredith runs her best in large races and loves training with big groups. I’ve set PRs in solo time trials and tend to bail when a run’s head count gets above five. Meredith is a worrier, beset by regrets and anticipated outcomes, who has sought treatment for anxiety. I have dysthymia, or chronic low-grade depression. We like to joke that Meredith stays up late as a way of avoiding the next day, whereas I go to bed early to speed the arrival of a better tomorrow.
We do have one key thing in common: Meredith and I run primarily to bolster our mental health. Like all runners, we relish the short-term experience of finishing our run feeling like we’ve hit reset and can better handle the rest of the day. What’s not universal is our recognition that, without regular running, the underlying fabric of our lives—our friendships, our marriages, our careers, our odds of being something other than miserable most of the time—will fray. For those of us with depression or anxiety, we need running like a diabetic needs insulin.
Meredith and I discovered this decades ago, and now researchers and practitioners are starting to catch up. Studies show that aerobic exercise can be as effective as anti-depressants in treating mild to moderate depression (and with side effects like improved health and weight management rather than bloating and sexual dysfunction). In countries such as Australia, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, official guidelines include exercise as a first-line treatment for depression . . .
(Excerpt) Read more at runnersworld.com ...
Does this explain the painand depression we all feel emanating from H->?
I should take up walking or trying to run.
Good neighborhood but after a day of the fools, whatever the crisis de jour at home or the social engagement I get pulled to and a decent nights sleep, I don’t have it in me.
I’m about over my sprained ankles though.
I’m too anxious to jog or run!! Honest!!
So I’ve started doing a lot of weight lifting and put a heavy bag up in the garage again.
Lots of reps every day and it helps the anxiety.
I don’t delude myself into thinking I will get my boxer’s physique back.
But a HUMAN physique would be nice lol!
A human physique would help me.
At least I’m not Homer Simpson.
A human physique would help me.
At least I’m not Homer Simpson.
Lol
Bicycling is a lot easier on the feet and knees.
If it didn’t feel like someone is shoving an icepick in my back a bout every other step I might try it
Until you get hit by a car . . . .
I’m a big fan of bicycling, much easier on your body. I think the gist of the article is correct too, that aerobic exercise helps you feel alright.
If I were independently wealthy and had no life, I would take up running.
Right now I am one out of two, having no life.
Ideally, you run outside through your front door, half an hour, pumped up, through the park forest trees, dirt path, past dogs people and frisbees.
You end run right into your shower. Cleaned, dressed and you are happy the whole weekend long.
YES, some people do live this glorious life this way. :-)
“Meredith is a voluble social worker who draws energy from crowds. I’m an introverted editor who works from home.”
Maybe it’s just me but you sound fruit and Meredith is some kind of unclassifiable whack job. Both democrats.
Start by taking a 10 minute walk and build up from there.
Sprint up hills
My life is just fine without being independently wealthy. Go to the gym at least 3x a week, trot on treadmill for a mile, use equipment in the weight room, and now in better shape than I’ve ever been. Walk to store. When driving, park far from the entrance so I can walk. Will be 83 next month. Everything works, nothing hurts.
And I’m a food purist...everything organic, no wheat, very little sugar, no more than 2 glasses of wine per day. Blood pressure is usually where a healthy 15-year old boy’s is.
So, good people, get off your tushies. Life is fun.
Veto!
(The girl)
It’s worked for me. I run 3-5 days a week. Keeps the stress down.
I recently started using a treadmill. I did buy a plastic thing that goes over it so I can put a magazine there, otherwise it is boring.
But I was in danger of failing the junk test, and am doing that and being a bit more careful about what I eat and how much.
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