Hey Doc,
I’m in a extremely bad mood(depression and suicidal). I’m very active: I ride my bike 7x a week, 4x Strength training and I have 15000 Steps every day. I feel lost. I feel stuck. How do I fight my depression? Could exercising too much worsen my mental health? What sport is best for mental health? How much does diet impact depression?
Hi there,
I’m sorry to hear about these struggles you’re experiencing. First, If you are actively experiencing a depressive episode with suicidality, I recommend seeking immediate care with a local healthcare professional and/or emergency department.
It is great that you’ve been able to stick to this physical activity regimen. But everyone’s experience with depression is different; while these kinds of lifestyle measures (diet and exercise) are helpful, they are also not always sufficient to address/resolve depression on their own. To what extent have you sought out any assistance on this from a physician?
Thanks
I’ve been seeing my therapist on for a couple years. I am on medication(depression pills) many years. Recently, I’ve been feeling suicidal and s lot of anxiety and eventually started having panic attacks. I shared with my therapist what happened and he said, "I saw many kids ruined by depression and suicidal thoughts. I’m worried about you too. You should do sports and taking a vacation“ I go to the gym 6x a week and ride my bike or run 7x a week. I think I train a lot. A lot of people suggest I should do endurance training because it’s good for mental health.
I am a runner and try to build muscles. So, I burn a lot of calories (4600) I eat well in general but do eat a lot of junk. Usually once a day I eat 400g of cereals or ice cream. How do I fix my depression? How can I improve my training and diet? Can too much training cause depression?
What do you read or listen to when you are sad?
I’m glad to hear that you are training regularly. However exercise on its own is not a “fix” for these sorts of complex individual issues, and if your symptoms are worsening it suggests that things are not being treated adequately. Unfortunately I do not think that these types of questions are really within the scope of what we can handle on this forum, though, and are best handled through one-on-one consultation with your doctors and mental health professionals. If you are experiencing active suicidal thoughts, you should seek assistance from these resources immediately or, if you are in the US, dial 988.
Regarding your training and diet, we have ample free content on our website, podcast, and YouTube with our general thoughts and recommendations on these topics, as well as options for one-on-one consultation with our coaches or dieticians for individualized advice.
Hey there! I’m new here, but I saw your post and wanted to reach out. First off, I want to say that it’s great that you’re staying active and getting exercise in. Exercise can definitely help with depression, but it’s important to find a balance and not overdo it. Exercising too much can actually be harmful to your mental health. In terms of what sport is best for mental health, it really depends on what you enjoy. Some people find that yoga or meditation helps them, while others prefer more high-intensity workouts like kickboxing or running. It’s all about finding what works for you and what you enjoy doing.
Hey there! I’m new here, but I saw your post and wanted to reach out. First off, I want to say that it’s great that you’re staying active and getting exercise in. Exercise can definitely help with depression, but it’s important to find a balance and not overdo it. Exercising too much can actually be harmful to your mental health. In terms of what sport is best for mental health, it really depends on what you enjoy. Some people find that yoga or meditation helps them, while others prefer more high-intensity workouts like kickboxing or running. It’s all about finding what works for you and what you enjoy doing.
Your questions are too general. I’m really sorry for what you are getting through at the moment. All I can say is that different sports can have varying impacts on mental health. Any physical activity that you enjoy and find fulfilling can be beneficial for your mental well-being. Engaging in activities that provide a sense of community, relaxation, or mindfulness can be particularly helpful. Examples include yoga, swimming, dancing, hiking, or team sports. Finding an activity that brings you joy and allows you to focus on the present moment can be beneficial for your mental health.
I started journaling five minutes a day just to track thoughts and moods, and it helped me notice patterns I wasn’t aware of before. It’s simple but surprisingly useful.