Walking could be a useful tool in treating depression

Diopos · 04-13-12, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

...
Of course the biggest help is posting on Subsim.

Or even just logging in ...

I had a rather depressive period in my 20's. Going for a walk came almost as a natural reaction. So you open the door, go out and WHAM all the ugliness of the city strikes ten-fold.

It was in this phase of my life that I grew a respect for architecture, city planning and talking to the neighbours!

.

Stealhead · 04-13-12, 10:32 PM

I have never had any issues with serious depression myself so I cant really say what helps for people that do but everyone no matter their life out look does get stress from time to time so an activity that gets you away even if just for a few hours is a good thing and even better if it is in the outdoors.

When I was stationed in Germany nearly every Saturday and Sunday I would hop onto my bike and ride on the many foot,horse and bike trials that connect one town to the next they always went through woods and sometimes pastures and it was a great escape it was nice being the only human in sight and just to feel the fresh air flow past as I rode along.There was a spot along one trail on a hill that over looked the base and it was great to just sit there for a few minutes and watch the people scurry around the base like little ants.

I grew up in the scrub oak of Florida and live there today so I have always enjoyed simply walking around and just admiring the natural world I could not live in a large city to be honest I have visited many in my day but a week or two is enough for me.

Betonov · 04-14-12, 01:26 AM

It's true. Try and be depressed after wiews like this

Skybird · 04-14-12, 05:54 AM

Depression, in a wider interpretaqtion, aims at a life status of "inactivity", due to lacking energy. That activity therfore does not help depression to persist and to improve, to put it this ironic, is no surprise.

The difficult trick is to get a really depressive person into activity mode first. And to prevent the rise in energy level from translating into a successful suicide attempt.

Depressions is a very diabolic and treacherous, underhanded disease.

Due to some issues and stories in my life I am vulnerable to feeling depressed, too, a certain basic melancholy seems to be part of my character. I found it worthwhile to depend less and lesser on the agreeing, the opinion, the appreciation of other people. If them and me do match over issues, fine. If not, it does nto worry me anymore. This attitude makes you stronger, mre appreciating your own value instead of defining yourself by the norms and standards of others or society, and it immunises you to the popular beliefs and myths of modern life. The price is that while you get stronger in self-esteem, you also find yourself in a very isolated position. Many friends you do not win this way.

But it is better than to be pulled down by depressive or frustrated mindset when staying with false friends and people with whom you have nothing in common.

And it has always been my impression that neurotic depressions often are caused by conflicts arising when people excessively define themselves by the expectations and standards set by other people, instead of following their own reasoning about what is valuable and deer, and what not. This of course is irrelevant for psychotic depressions.

Try to live your own life in the way that you want, but follow the golden rule - and as long as the latter is true, give a damn on what others think about you. If you are being liked, fine. If not - so what?

Jimbuna · 04-14-12, 11:47 AM

Whenever I'm feeling a little down (which isn't often thankfully) I either surf the internet or go for a walk or a drive.

Any of the above (especially the latter two) help immensely.

Egan · 04-14-12, 11:59 AM

Having grown up in a mountaineering family, I have long known about the benefits of a good, hard walk. My father would likely also add that often a bit of proper solitude on a hike helps a lot. Getting away from all the distractions of modern life and just putting one foot in front of the other helps to clear the head and get body and mind back together. It may not solve all your problems but if certainly helps put yourself in a position where you can deal with them better.

I also really like the gym for this. I find it interesting that, as someone who has suffered from bad depression on several occasions through the years, the periods where it was at it's worst were those when I wasn't getting enough quality physical exercise on a regular basis. Several times a week now I like to go to the gym, stick some Jeff Mills on my Ipod and work out until I can't do any more. It's not foolproof, of course, but it helps keep the wolf from the door.

BossMark · 04-14-12, 02:27 PM

Not often I get depressed but when I do a brisk walk to the pub helps

04-14-12, 05:54 AM	#4
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,637 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Depression, in a wider interpretaqtion, aims at a life status of "inactivity", due to lacking energy. That activity therfore does not help depression to persist and to improve, to put it this ironic, is no surprise. The difficult trick is to get a really depressive person into activity mode first. And to prevent the rise in energy level from translating into a successful suicide attempt. Depressions is a very diabolic and treacherous, underhanded disease. Due to some issues and stories in my life I am vulnerable to feeling depressed, too, a certain basic melancholy seems to be part of my character. I found it worthwhile to depend less and lesser on the agreeing, the opinion, the appreciation of other people. If them and me do match over issues, fine. If not, it does nto worry me anymore. This attitude makes you stronger, mre appreciating your own value instead of defining yourself by the norms and standards of others or society, and it immunises you to the popular beliefs and myths of modern life. The price is that while you get stronger in self-esteem, you also find yourself in a very isolated position. Many friends you do not win this way. But it is better than to be pulled down by depressive or frustrated mindset when staying with false friends and people with whom you have nothing in common. And it has always been my impression that neurotic depressions often are caused by conflicts arising when people excessively define themselves by the expectations and standards set by other people, instead of following their own reasoning about what is valuable and deer, and what not. This of course is irrelevant for psychotic depressions. Try to live your own life in the way that you want, but follow the golden rule - and as long as the latter is true, give a damn on what others think about you. If you are being liked, fine. If not - so what? __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

04-14-12, 11:47 AM	#5
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,552 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Whenever I'm feeling a little down (which isn't often thankfully) I either surf the internet or go for a walk or a drive. Any of the above (especially the latter two) help immensely. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

04-14-12, 02:27 PM	#7
BossMark Fleet Admiral Join Date: May 2011 Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire Posts: 15,272 Downloads: 278 Uploads: 0	Not often I get depressed but when I do a brisk walk to the pub helps __________________ Never trust the Tories look what Thatcher and Major did in the 80s and 90s and look what the wicked witch May is doing now doing now

04-13-12, 10:32 PM	#2
Stealhead Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,421 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	I have never had any issues with serious depression myself so I cant really say what helps for people that do but everyone no matter their life out look does get stress from time to time so an activity that gets you away even if just for a few hours is a good thing and even better if it is in the outdoors. When I was stationed in Germany nearly every Saturday and Sunday I would hop onto my bike and ride on the many foot,horse and bike trials that connect one town to the next they always went through woods and sometimes pastures and it was a great escape it was nice being the only human in sight and just to feel the fresh air flow past as I rode along.There was a spot along one trail on a hill that over looked the base and it was great to just sit there for a few minutes and watch the people scurry around the base like little ants. I grew up in the scrub oak of Florida and live there today so I have always enjoyed simply walking around and just admiring the natural world I could not live in a large city to be honest I have visited many in my day but a week or two is enough for me.

04-14-12, 01:26 AM	#3
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	It's true. Try and be depressed after wiews like this

04-14-12, 11:59 AM	#6
Egan Admiral Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 2,020 Downloads: 15 Uploads: 0	Having grown up in a mountaineering family, I have long known about the benefits of a good, hard walk. My father would likely also add that often a bit of proper solitude on a hike helps a lot. Getting away from all the distractions of modern life and just putting one foot in front of the other helps to clear the head and get body and mind back together. It may not solve all your problems but if certainly helps put yourself in a position where you can deal with them better. I also really like the gym for this. I find it interesting that, as someone who has suffered from bad depression on several occasions through the years, the periods where it was at it's worst were those when I wasn't getting enough quality physical exercise on a regular basis. Several times a week now I like to go to the gym, stick some Jeff Mills on my Ipod and work out until I can't do any more. It's not foolproof, of course, but it helps keep the wolf from the door.