If you follow any fitness people on Instagram, you will probably see depression or mental health issues/illness talked about a lot. A lot of people struggle with depression or some form of mental illness.
But how does that relate to exercise?
I see so often someone saying “help, I’m depressed, how do I keep going to the gym?” I get it. When you are depressed, you do not want to do anything. You sometimes don’t even want to exist. But you do.
Working out- whether it be lifting weights, going for a walk/jog or even a bike ride, or yoga- does not mean it will cure your depression. If you can make yourself do that one thing, you won’t regret it. It will not make your depression go away, but it will help you feel better, and will make you feel better about yourself in that you did not just stay in and lay in bed and do nothing. You did something.
I never really dealt with depression. I mean sure, I had a day or two of being depressed, but it wasn’t something I struggled with. In fact, at this point I am simply self-diagnosed. Almost three years ago the man I was dating and the father of my daughter died- three months after I had our baby girl. I am pretty sure I was dealing with post-partum depression anyway, but then he died, and I fit everything on the list of “are you depressed.”
In fact, I still do.
I am feeling extra down lately. I have nearly entirely withdrawn from everyone. Going to the gym is the only thing I do outside of going to work. I feel terrible I am not taking my daughter to the park or using our seasons pass to the amusement park during the last few nice weekends. But going to the gym is the only thing I can manage right now.
So if you’re depressed, do one thing- besides going to work/school- that gets you out of the house. For me, that one thing is the gym and it helps me feel better even if just for a little bit. And to still be a “good” mom, I set aside one evening free of school, to simply take my daughter out to the park and let her have a blast.
I balance work, school, and the gym whilst also being a mom. And when I am depressed, that just feels overwhelming. So I set small goals for myself to keep me going, but without drowning. Work. Gym. A little school each night (about an hour). Time with my daughter, whether it’s reading, or coloring- just something focused on time with her. And one evening at the park a week, because I need to get out of the house and because I cannot let my own depression steal my daughter’s joy.
Do something. Even if you don’t want to. It actually feels good. Even if only while you are doing it.
Talks with PJ 