Exercise more effective than medicine to manage mental health

[Ming the Merciless]

I’ve always felt exercise good for my mental as well as physical well being.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-02-effective-medicines-mental-health.html

 

[All uphill]

It's true for me.

I need exercise to be outdoors. Walking, gardening and cycling are all brilliant, but exercising in a gym doesn't do it for me at all.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

It's true for me.

I need exercise to be outdoors. Walking, gardening and cycling are all brilliant, but exercising in a gym doesn't do it for me at all.

Yes being outdoors is much where I prefer to be, when exercising, even if the weather is poor.

 

[cougie uk]

It's true for me.

I need exercise to be outdoors. Walking, gardening and cycling are all brilliant, but exercising in a gym doesn't do it for me at all.

Indoors works for me. Never had a bad day on the turbo/treadmill.

 

[Mo1959]

It's true for me.

I need exercise to be outdoors. Walking, gardening and cycling are all brilliant, but exercising in a gym doesn't do it for me at all.

Ditto. I have wasted lots of money over the years buying treadmills, indoor bikes and joining gyms, but it's just not for me either. I absolutely detest exercising indoors and would rather have a walk or run in the pouring rain than on a treadmill. I still have a small, cheap one but won't use it unless it's actually dangerous to go out which doesn't happen very often.

 

[the_mikey]

Swimming in a pool or cycling outdoors works for me, cycling indoors doesn't seem to work, neither does walking or the gym.

 

[sevenfourate]

Can’t comment reference exercise vs medicine: as I’ve never taken anything to help stress.

However compared to pretty much anything else (Trying to avoid it, Talking about it, Lessening exposure to it, Ignoring it etc) - it’s about as; or more effective as anything else for me.

I don’t have a religious exercise routine. But if work has me stressed (And that’s about all that stresses me) - I will make time to exercise.

 

[FishFright]

It must be that time of year again , a magic bullet for mental health issue that doesn't cost the health services a penny.

 

[Kingfisher101]

Ditto. I have wasted lots of money over the years buying treadmills, indoor bikes and joining gyms, but it's just not for me either. I absolutely detest exercising indoors and would rather have a walk or run in the pouring rain than on a treadmill. I still have a small, cheap one but won't use it unless it's actually dangerous to go out which doesn't happen very often.

I worked with a lady who spent 2K on a gym membership and went twice.I would say to anyone who was unsure about the gym or an irratic attender to just pay as you go with the council gym. then its just a fiver or whatever per session.
I dont like gyms, so I just use my bike or walk. I like the fresh air as well.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

It must be that time of year again , a magic bullet for mental health issue that doesn't cost the health services a penny.

Which health services are you referring to?

 

[FishFright]

Which health services are you referring to?

All off them

 

[fossyant]

Yes being outdoors is much where I prefer to be, when exercising, even if the weather is poor.

It's still better than Zwifting. Getting wet through in the real world.

 

[HMS_Dave]

Whilst it is always going to help no question about it, Mental health isn't and doesn't have a one size fits all remedy. Having had 2 members of family commit suicide, one just at the beginning of last summer, 20 years after the love of her life died of cancer at 36 years old and couldn't get over it and the other in 1999 it is without a question something that shouldn't all be lumped in one category. Not to lower the tone, but mental health care in this country is an after thought compared to other illnesses. But for me personally, exercise changed my life in more ways than one.

 

[Jameshow]

Whilst it is always going to help no question about it, Mental health isn't and doesn't have a one size fits all remedy. Having had 2 members of family commit suicide, one just at the beginning of last summer, 20 years after the love of her life died of cancer at 36 years old and couldn't get over it and the other in 1999 it is without a question something that shouldn't all be lumped in one category. Not to lower the tone, but mental health care in this country is an after thought compared to other illnesses. But for me personally, exercise changed my life in more ways than one.

My thoughts and sympathy go out to you....

 

[wafter]

Can't overstate how beneficial I find it - pretty much the only thing that makes a difference and it can be enormous.. the biggest problem is regularly getting enough.