Needing advice: I’ve been struggling with mental health for a bit. I h...

rmfoster

Find a podcast/audiobook/ whatever that you ONLY listen to at the gym. Make sure it’s one your really really enjoy. Make a rule that you can only listen/watch it at the gym so at the very least it gets you motivated and start creating a routine. That’s what worked for me

1 year

casbahmike

I need help with this, too.

1 year

smallen01

@rmfoster i really like that idea!

1 year

anotherfede

@rmfoster thats actually great advice!

1 year

anotherfede

However @smallen01 if you're struggling with mental health, the first thing I recommend you to do is to embrace it. Connect with the issue, the problem, with what makes you feel bad. The only way you can solve an issue is facing it. And sometimes, going to the gym can act or function as an evitative behaviour. Dont run away from the problem: contemplate it, study it, talk about it with people you feel confident with. Do not run away from it because it's gonna get worse. You can text me if you need to🫶🏼

1 year

guilleripa

100% w/ @anotherfede . If, after connecting with the issue, you still want to start the gym (getting the body moving will help get out of the rut): Go to the gym and try out just 3-4 things you enjoy doing (bench press, treadmill, bicep curls) because, when starting out, forming the habit is much more important than “the completeness” of it

1 year

nicosyl

I find it more motivating to go to a gym that offers group sessions, such as crossfit or spinning. It builds up a community spirit and without comparing or competition, its fun and rewarding to push through the training all together.

1 year

hidden

Gym will definitely help, but yes, getting yourself to gym is always an issue. Find what works for you, either throw yourself out of your apartment and head to gym without letting yourself think about it, just GO, Or find someone you can trust that will drag you by your hair if needed, Or find a workout that fits you / encourages you to go, maybe a class with a hot teacher or a something that you know you enjoy doing. If it’s depression or something similar, it’s going to be hard to *let* yourself go to gym, so you need to find the best way for you. Something that worked for me was going hiking with my dog. She basically saved me, the look on her face at the end of the hike was the reason that pushed me out of the door. And we would go with a friend and her dog, so basically i had to commit to a hike that I couldn’t get out of, with a reward at the end when I saw my dog’s face. But as many said, connect with yourself as well and face your issues. Might also help to talk to a stranger about it, someone who’s opinion is not important to you so you can actually share everything with no fear of judgement (even if you know that none of your friends would judge you anyway). If so, I’m here. Or, as I’m sure, many others as well. 🫶

1 year

southerncowrie

Maybe make a playlist for it :)

1 year

dnlwlls

In the beginning, it can feel like an internal war just to get yourself there — but persevere, it gets easier, and eventually you might start loving it. It’s around this time that physical progress will start becoming obvious. Expect the internal battle for motivation, but set yourself up to win it — it’s a choice, in the end.

1 year

olegs

In my case, the first motivation to start going to gym was example of other person (by bf at that time). He was going to gym and we went together a couple of times, then he started motivating me to start going to gym in my own. It worked and I started. At first my goal was to lose kilos that I gained because mental health issues. Then I got this desire to become better for me and for that other person. After getting that motivation I started going to gym daily ( and that time I got streak of 44 days in a row). Moreover, at the end it was very nice to see the result of my input and time. Then I had a long break in working out as I was traveling a lot. However, as soon as I got more free time I started going to gym again, now even without motivation from other person, because I wanted to improve my body. Also, during the process (and thank to my therapists) I understood that going to gym brings much needed structure to my life, as I started planning my day in the way that I can always find time for gym. At that point, I realised this benefit of working out. After some more time, again with a help of therapist, I realised that I feel better (mental health wise) when I am going to gym, but when I am not going there my mental health becomes unstable and starts collapsing slowly, leading to the falling in deep and dark depression. That is why I tried do not skip gym at all. And again, I liked the idea of seeing changes in mirror and feedback that I was getting from my ex.

1 year

olegs

As a result of going to gym for a year (with some breaks) it has become a habit for me. Recently, I started going to gym in early morning (even though I hated it a lot in past) and I love that it gives boost of energy for the whole day (if I wake up tired in the morning and then go to gym, I feel better for the rest of the day), it improves mood a lot (on a daily basis and overall) and gives confidence. Last but not least the least, after going though a break up, I started spending in gym more time as a replacement for the time that I used to spent with my bf. It resulted in noticeable changes within my body. As for now, I have stream of going to gym every day for 15 weeks in a row and it feels amazing. Long story short, you need to find what motivates you and realise the benefits of working out. (Some years ago I thought I thought that statement “sport improves your mood” is total bullshit, but now I realised that it is not. Sport actually helps a lot). Sending you my motivation 🫶🏻

1 year

basile

Also struggling with mental health here, and starting gym as well. I’m not always constant for now haha but I tried to be gentle with myself, and to go easy and I think it’s working nicely : one or two times per week tops and without trying to do big sessions. Even just half an hour sometimes, with a quick full body routine just to connect with the body and its movements and feel the endorphins. I noticed that with small but satisfying sessions I began to be eager for more since I identified it as a real pleasure for myself and not as some kind of imperative prerequisite. And slowly I began very naturally to stay longer and do more precise exercises. And then to see improvements, not specifically on shape but on the weights I can pull, and that is an other huge satisfaction when struggling I think. Also I’d advise to make it as easy as possible in terms of logistic not to discourage you. My gym is literally 2 min from home because when struggling I know I couldn’t handle more, I sort of noticed and got tolerant with my laziness hahaha but without leaning into it. I think it’s very brave what you are doing ❤️ go for it :) Thank you @rmfoster for the podcast tip! I’ll add it to my tricks !

1 year

yocko

If you do have a little money (or specially since it’s an investment in mental health) start with a personal trainer. Even if it is just a few times to get you going. Nothing forces you more to go and once the habit is there it will go more easy

1 year

rombom

First of all the gym isnt gonna solve the issue. Stupid enough reading a book in my undies while relaxing in my garden works way better for me. And im not a guy that reads a lot. The gym for me is when I get bored

1 year

sampson

I find when I dont want to, just going anyway and half assing it still helps a bunch! Also - a therapist told me recently it only takes 2 hours of exercise across a week period to get the benefits of exercise to endorphin levels 💛

1 year

tofubrat

A body in motion stays in motion!

1 year

hidden

Please consider a professional to speak with if you are suffering with mental health. Exercise is supplemental to that.

1 year

rkrk90

Medical doctor and a brain scientist here. All these accessory treatments in the comments can help ward off some of the burden and might help you feel better for a bit but they usually don't tackle the root cause. I suggest you strongly to consult a professor who will know how to address your case, and make sure to start therapy as early as possible in life, you'll thank me later.

1 year

alchemyg

I saw a video the other day that helped me change the way I think about going to the gym or doing anything that feels hard in the moment. The guy was talking about doing things out of self-devotion instead of self-discipline, and he used this analogy that really stuck with me: imagine you have a partner you really love, and one day they ask you to go out of your way after work to get them something they really need. Even if it’s inconvenient, you’d probably still do it, just because you love them. So he said self-devotion is like treating yourself as that person you love, and doing things for yourself that might feel inconvenient but are actually aligned with what you need, like going to the gym for mental clarity or peace of mind. So now whenever I’m struggling with motivation, I ask myself, If I don’t go, am I loving myself right now? and I just try to be honest with the answer, no pressure. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it, whether that’s a therapist, a friend, or someone you trust.

1 year

trae

Audiobooks and getting outside do wonders!!

1 year

lav

I relate to this greatly but going to gym, seeing the progress not only helped me feel powerful in being able to mend my body to my design, but it also helps me realize that I’m in control of my mind as well. And the dopamine that you experience by falling in love with working out is also something that not many talk about, you’re in control.

1 year

sandro777

Just think about your health and how you get better each day u go to gym.

1 year

hando

In my case, I just make it like a routine. Like I will not have breakfast if the first thing I did was going to the gym, maybe that’s a little bit extreme 😅. Maybe going to a gym that it is visually appealing to you, I used to go to a gym where I didn’t like a lot, then a challenged to a new one and I just feel better there plus there is a hot guy who works out at the same hour as me 😂 so maybe that’s like an extra motivation 🤭

1 year

basile

@alchemyg that really helped I think, thank you !

1 year

chrisgardener

Going to a gym and exercising can be great however any exercise even something as simple as going out for a 20min walk every day can really boost your mental health start small and keep consistency but no pressure if you do miss a day just pick up where you left off the next day

1 year