Posted by wacky on August 6, 2006, at 9:13:33 [reposted on August 8, 2006, at 11:07:05 | original URL]
In reply to Re: Exercise and depression, posted by linkadge on August 6, 2006, at 1:00:09
There is no question in my mind as to the benefits of exercise. The tough part is that the more depressed one becomes, the less likely they have enough motivation to do it.
I am an avid dressage rider. I typically ride 4-5 days a week. Contrary to popular belief, riding a big moving dressage horse is VERY aerobic. There have been times when I've gotten on my horse, especially when no one is around, and I start bawling. So I tend to agree with Linkage and her assessment that before it gets better - it feels worse. At other times, when I'm done riding (usually around 45 minutes), I feel better.
One way I know I'm getting into trouble (depression coming on) is that I lose interest in riding - which for me is not a hobby - but a passion. So, if I have a passion that I have difficulty forcing myself to do, it must require an enormous amount of willpower/effort to get a depressed person to start a new exercise program. Frankly, when I recall how hard it has been for me to ride, I don't see how someone without such a passion can do it at all.
Now that I am on the upside of the depression (this one anyway), when I ride I get that eurphoric feeling that I haven't felt in a long time.
If there was anything I could do to help a depressed person to get out and do something, I would.
poster:wacky
thread:674827
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20060610/msgs/674842.html