Lifting weights and doing regular cardio exercises can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression significantly

[iloverachel]

Lifting weights can have a significant positive impact on mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Here's how:




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• Endorphin Release:
  • Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, natural mood-boosting chemicals in the brain.
    
    
  • These "feel-good" hormones can alleviate feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression.
• Stress Reduction:
  • Weightlifting provides a healthy outlet for stress.
    
    
  • Focusing on the physical exertion of lifting can help to distract from worries and anxieties.
    
    
  • Exercise can also help to reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
• Improved Sleep:
  • Regular physical activity can improve sleep quality.
    
    
  • Better sleep can significantly enhance mood, reduce anxiety, and improve overall mental well-being.
• Increased Self-Esteem:
  • Achieving fitness goals, such as lifting heavier weights or increasing muscle mass, can boost self-esteem and confidence.
    
    
  • This can have a positive impact on overall mental health.
• Social Interaction:
  • Weightlifting can be a social activity.
    
    
  • Joining a gym or fitness class can provide opportunities for social interaction and support.
• Distraction:
  • Weightlifting can provide a welcome distraction from negative thoughts and rumination.
    
    
  • Focusing on the physical demands of the workout can help to take your mind off of worries and anxieties.

 

[OnlyOutcastsMourn]

This is well known and understood by most of us, I believe, motivation is the hard part. I must try and motivate myself to push through the pain of it all.

However, I'd rather burn alive than set foot in a Gym.

I need to try daily walks again, if I can afford to get new shoes for my mutant feet.

 

[iloverachel]

This is well known and understood by most of us, I believe, motivation is the hard part. I must try and motivate myself to push through the pain of it all.

However, I'd rather burn alive than set foot in a Gym.

I need to try daily walks again, if I can afford to get new shoes for my mutant feet.

For me it was about building discipline, and going when i don't feel like it. Motivation gets you started, discipline and habits are sustainable long term. Just curious, why do you dislike going to the gym so much? Injuries?

 

[OnlyOutcastsMourn]

I have long-term injuries, but I simply dislike being around groups of people. I often get stared at and commented on because my stature is well outside the norm, as I am extremely tall.

 

[Mr. Silver]

True. Running around 04:30 ~ 05:30 AM always gave me some motivation and helped me think in general. My routine it's consistently fucked up because of work and university but it's is all my fault in the end, just an excuse.

 

[WhatCouldHaveBeen32]

When I was at my first job I was the fittest that I was ever at in my life, I had like 18-20% body fat when I usually had 30%-35%, legitemately lost 14 kilograms and maybe gained 2-3 kilos of muscle was doing 20k steps daily for 7 months in a row (at home + combined with work) lifting at work, doing pushups, pullups and elastic band exercises, dieting a bit, not much but more than the average joe, I didn't care, it didn't make me sleep better. This works if you like social interaction and others looking at your body / if you like it as a hobby and it's fun for you.

For me it didn't give me anything and as soon as I stopped going to the job I stopped most activity and after 4-5 months I stopped physical activity all together, gained back a part of the weight but alas I don't care , at least I could check it off the list of things, along side meds, therapy, animal therapy , exposure therapy and other bs...

And yes I did try normal gyms, yes I tried the bike ,treadmill and other machines, no, it's not fun and it gives me nothing, I did it for a month right after quitting the job aswel so it was like a DLC that did absolutely nothing, the leg machines were interesting to say the least but I do have a lot of leg movement from when I was 4 I can't stop my legs from moving to maybe that's why.

Edit: Feeding pigs by the bucket, carrying pig food in sandbags, carrying fish food in sandbags at another job of mine , going up trees to harvest fruit, shoveling to plant trees, building a wooden gazebo with my grandpa, a wooden fence with my grandpa. To name other activities that involved real life work rather than enclosed space, all feel awful and I couldn't wait until they were over and dreaded them to start again.

 

[ecstasy]

where do I start T.T i've been sitting in my room all day for like 6 months >.> idk where to get the motivation and what to start with, i'm too weak honestly

 

[Mr. Silver]

where do I start T.T i've been sitting in my room all day for like 6 months >.> idk where to get the motivation and what to start with, i'm too weak honestly

Well, When you go to a gym, usually, a professional will make a workout plan for you, after that you just need to follow that routine; you can also adjust everything at your necessity (after you get some experience and know what you're doing).


What I did was, basically, read the /fit/ basic guide for lifting and dieting (this).

I must say that i don't lift for quite a while, so..... dunno brother. These guides always fill me with motivation, it could work for you too.

Something that I loved to do was the "Couch to 5k plan". Pretty beginner friendly.

 

[iloverachel]

where do I start T.T i've been sitting in my room all day for like 6 months >.> idk where to get the motivation and what to start with, i'm too weak honestly

I was stuck like that for many years too. tired and depressed and never left my home. I started with daily workouts for 15 minutes once every 2 days and cutting out junk foods to once a day. it was a slow process

 

[MBG]

where do I start T.T i've been sitting in my room all day for like 6 months >.> idk where to get the motivation and what to start with, i'm too weak honestly

Since you're sitting, just stand up and sit back down again 12x. Rest 2-3 minutes. Repeat 3x. Do that M, W and Fri. Do comfortable stretching. Then add in a walk every day. Then 2x per day. Then add in some walking up hill or stairs.

Your guts will work better and you'll sleep more soundly.

There are plenty of YouTube resources for more ideas and home exercises that do not require any equipment (jumping jacks, pushups, sit-ups, abs bicycles, etc).

For less than $20 (in CA) you can buy water containers that can act as dumbbells for exercises like overhead presses, shrugs, upright rows, bent over rowing, bicep curls, squats, lunges, Romanian deadlifts, Bulgarian split squats, Farmers walks, lateral raises

1 quart (or 1.5L) water bottle (2): 2#, $2 ea
1 gallon water jug (2): 8.3#, $2.50 ea
2.5 gallon water jug (2): 20.75#, $5 ea

Plus you'll have stored water in case of emergency/disaster.

Wish you the best!

 

[Rabscuttle]

where do I start T.T i've been sitting in my room all day for like 6 months >.> idk where to get the motivation and what to start with, i'm too weak honestly

Start with a knee push up, or a sit up or a squat. Or going for a walk. And slowly build up. You don't need to go to the gym or lift weights to get fit. Can also follow along with basic yoga videos on YouTube.

I've gone from couch potato to 'fit' and back to couch potato like 6 times throughout my life. Currently a potato again. Getting started is the hardest part.

 

[Languish]

I have been working out recently, but it is a hassle, and I do not find my mental state improving at all. Then again, my issue is anhedonia - a feeling of emptiness. I suppose going to the gym doesn't fix that, as if is not fulfilling, nor is the progress made, in and of itself.