Exercise and mood

[sabrinamari]

I'm learning alot about manipulating myself. It's been both amusing and fruitful. Last night I did a little experiment to see how long it would take me to alter my mood so much that I would end up in a generally joyful place, after starting in generally crappy place. I found that it took about 30 minutes of post-dinner wallowing, 10 minutes of cardio warm up (I started cardio so bummed that I was wrapped up in my soft purple chenille blankie until I could get happy enough/ pumped enough to ditch it), 20 minutes of weight training, 8 minutes of stretching and about 15 minutes of cooking. So the answer to transforming my consciousness from doldrums to happiness, on my own and without outside intervention, is about 1 hour and 25 minutes or so.

Now, this was really an exercise in chemical manipulation, since both aerobic and anaerobic workouts release seratonin. I also know that I am particularly sensitive to exercise-related seratonin boosts. Still, it's easily accessible, non-toxic and free, so I'm OK with this "better living through chemistry" strategy.

All in all, this is pretty good news, especially since I started out in a reasonably bummed place to begin with, and realistically, there will be plenty of times like this in my life to come. The key seems to be to simply accept wherever I am--whatever my mood actually is at the moment---and then start there, pushing myself a little past what I think I can easily do once, twice and again. And then I just keep doing that until the chemicals start flowing.

While this might not work if I were in a major depression, it seems to work for general anxiety/sadness.

Plus, it's good for overall health. Right now many people, including me, are thinking about undoing some of damage brought on by weight gain, but the more I think about it---OK, the more I shamelessly slurp up the emotional boost of exercise---the more I think that exercise and exertion are important *mostly* because they just make you feel alive. Exercise makes you feel good, it generates happiness and it helps you feel able to handle everything that life throws you. It's like a positive mood intensifier without the crash afterwards. Now, it takes a few sessions of consistent work to get the brain connections going and start those chemicals pumping, but once it starts, it feels *literally* like you took a mood-altering drug---it's that strong.

Research shows that about 3 weeks of moderate, regular exercise is as effective as anti-depressents in treating mild depression, and my experiences suggest that's absolutely true. The hard part is getting yourself going, or getting onto the exercise machines, when you feel like such crap to begin with. If you can get past that initial drag---if you can experiment with yourself to learn how you can most effectively prod yourself into action, then you're OK.

So, more of the same tonight, followed by dinner and fun. and probably most mornings and nights, until, dammit, I get past this divorce related ickyness.

Comments

[vgnwtch.livejournal.com]

D said he felt incredibly better when he took up cycling. I'm finding hard, sustained cleaning is a mood-altering thing. Every time I walk into my bathroom, I grin like a freak. Also, I have found that standing on the rim of the bathtub to scrub the top of the fibreglass shower stall brings muscles into play that I'd rather forgotten I had.

[treesong.livejournal.com]

You are an inspiration. I just had to tell you this. And it goes beyond admiration for what you have conquered. You are an amazing example of motivation and honesty. Reading your post today really got me excited about experiencing your version of "better living thorugh chemistry". I know I need to start small, so that I can feel somewhat accomplished. Now it's just a matter of determining what's small and what's too small...

I think I need a plan for what I can/should do in one month and a way of tracking the changes and how I am feeling.

Thank you for sharing...

[wild-place-king.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with vgnwtch and treesong. You have made some pretty good choices after the "late unpleasantness." A lot of us are learning from you. It is good that you decided to be a teacher. "Holy cannoli," another good choice!

Blessings,
B.

[sidhne.livejournal.com]

Your post comes at such an appropriate time for me. I'm trying to break out of my own doldrums and lose some serious weight. I already know intellectually what you're saying, but convincing myself to do it is another thing entirely! The more different places I hear it, the better.

Thanks.

[seedmoon.livejournal.com]

You totally rock, girl!!

May I re-post some of what you wrote in my own journal?

[willowoak.livejournal.com]

I agree with all the above comments, particularly seedmoon's. You SO rock, darlin'.

I may have to print out and tape up the prescription for better living through chemistry. :) I altered my brain chemistry today, but did it through shopping...luckily it was a small-ish purchase. But I need to work on easier to obtain and manage alternate sources.

BIG HUGS to you, Miss Sexy.

[oakleaves.livejournal.com]

When I was in the my heights (lows?) of divorce ickyness, I found the same thing to be true.

[rio-luna.livejournal.com]

this post makes me very happy!!! smooches to you, sabrina dearest!

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Wow---multipurpose exertion---you create good space, good chemicals and good muscle work all at once! Way to go, karen. I,m even gonna clear away the ceiling cobwebs that have appeared over the chandelier today following your example.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I think that planning on a month-by month basis and tracking each session is a winning idea. Adding in how you feel before and after each session would make it even more valuable---what a good idea, treesong! I think I may add this dimension to my own training log, too.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Just feeling happy, now, friend. : )

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

"The more different places I hear it, the better."

I think this is true for most people---it really is for me. I keep reading and re-reading books to help me grasp the lessons that I need to learn right now, and talking to friends, too---hearing the same things 20, 30, 40 times helps me start to integrate and slowly, act on it.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Go ahead, my dear.

There are some real advantages to home equipment, I have to admit. I would have a real hard time dragging myself onto a gym elliptical, all sniffling and sad and wrapped in a fuzzy blankie to start. But at home, I can be as pathetic as I want to be and no one can see me while I get my seratonin fix.

Oh my god, you have to hear what Shannon, queen of cardio figured out last night---it's brilliant!

I'll post it as a regular post, it's so cool!

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Thank you, my dear bunny. You are such a source of comfort for me. I really appreciate the way you accept all my body wierdness and strange, self-critical fits without making me feel even stranger about it all. Thank you.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Hey! Independent corroboration from a reliable source!

Cool! Thanks, dear.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Thank you, dear one!

[willowoak.livejournal.com]

We ALL have body issues, my sweet. How could we not in this society with its glorification of the very young, ultra skinny (but yet with impossibly large breasts) *ideal* figure.

But in any case, you are a fabulous and sexy woman...both inside (where it really counts) and outside as well. And whenever you need reminding, just let me know, OK? I'll be happy to give you the nudge.