This article says pretty definitively that exercise helps people manage depression, along with a host of other medical conditions:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/21/upshot/why-you-should-exercise-no-not-to-lose-weight.html
I checked out the comments, and was surprised to see so many people say that exercise helps their mood! I've exercised many times in my life and have never noticed an impact on my mood. Maybe I'm the exception... how about you?
blogger / pomelo / 5400 posts
Absolutely. I have a much shorter fuse if I go more than a few days.
pomelo / 5258 posts
I ran cross country in high school and ran on and off in my 20s, including a marathon. If anything running makes me grumpy AF.
I did CrossFit for a few years and I think that really improved my mood. I was drinking the Kool Aid and I'd love to get my hands on some of it again. Not sure if it was the finding my workout fit, the intensity, positivity, or group format (although I ran with my cross country team so that was group and a positive environment).
pomegranate / 3127 posts
Doesn't affect my mood at all if I'm in a gym. If I'm outside, it does.
watermelon / 14467 posts
Yes, I'm a much happier person when I get to exercise. I miss running and OTF walking just isn't cutting it.
nectarine / 2964 posts
I am the weird one... I also don't really notice the effect on my mood! I am sure it does has some effects, just it is very minimal. On some days after an intense session I do feel good though, but that's physical. I have friends who said they love working out because they are addicted to how happy they are afterwards, and I am always like, what are you talking about? 
pear / 1622 posts
Yes. I am in a much better mood when I exercise. I think it's a combination of the actual exercising/my body getting in shape, the music, and group environment/friends (when I go to a class).
clementine / 777 posts
Yes! It helps tremendously. I am 28 weeks pregnant right now and still doing modified crossfit. My energy level and overall mood is so much better when I stay consistent. The community or group is a big part of that.
pear / 1580 posts
Yes, definitely. I have more energy the rest of the day. I don't know about managing clinical depression though...
nectarine / 2018 posts
Yes and no. I do feel that it makes me a bit happier and a bit calmer. But the only way I can fit in daily exercise is to wake up really early which I hate. I am always dragging by mid afternoon.
pomegranate / 3231 posts
No right now I am fighting to even make it to the gym. But it is just one more thing I have to do. There is always too much to do. It is just adding to my feeling of being overwhelmed.
But I am physically a wreck and need to work on that. So I go. It's not nearly enough to address my issues but there is not enough space in my life to hit the reset button.
squash / 13208 posts
short term it does - I don't love exercising but I do it because I knows it good for me - after a workout I feel amazing - like I could conquer the world but then by bedtime I am just tired and grumpy again 
persimmon / 1188 posts
Yes, it helps me a lot! My husband says it does nothing for him but I find that hard to believe, at least you have to be happy you weren't a bump on a log for a little while!
pear / 1837 posts
Yes, it very much improves my mood. Exercise improves my husband's mood too, and he hasn't had time for it lately.... 
pomegranate / 3863 posts
It affects my mood in that I feel better about myself and more confident. But I wouldn't say that it makes me less stressed or improves my mood for any long period of time.
grapefruit / 4988 posts
Yes, I think it does. You get the nice feeling right afterwards and then through the day, I feel happy that I took the time to do something good for myself. When I'm able to keep it up regularly, I notice my moods are more stable. That said, it's super easy for me to fall out of the habit so it's obviously not a magic bullet.
pomelo / 5093 posts
Exercise is the number one tool that I have for coping with my moderate depression. When I am not getting enough, I'm absolutely miserable. It's a big part of why I won't have any more children - the first trimester and then the awful baby days leave me with too little energy to work out, which makes me a really unhappy and grumpy person.
apricot / 485 posts
Yes! I always feel better when I regularly exercise. When I've had to take long breaks (months at a time) I always feel more sluggish. I wouldn't say I am depressed when I don't exercise but I am in a better mood with regular exercise.
apricot / 340 posts
Not at all! It makes me feel tired, sweaty, sore, and miserable. I am still convinced that people are lying when they say they like the way it makes them feel.
I often wondered if it didnt do it for long enough, but I ran for 45 minutes a day every other day for almost a year and it never kicked in.
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 1 |
| Posts | 1 | 3 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
22 comments