Things I didn't expect to help

[SarahGryph]

So, first off I just want to note that I'm not typing this topic to try to pressure anyone to do anything. It's important to me that I don't come off that way, is all. Only talking about something going on with me lately.

Anyway, a couple months ago I realized I was getting into a very bad place with my depression/anxiety. Not as bad as it's been, but I could feel myself riding the line if that makes sense. I've repeatedly heard that things like smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and drinking a lot of soda are all things that are not so helpful in that space. Plus two of those were definitely contributing to some pretty serious weight gain that was also depressing me. All three have kinda been my go-to's for crappy moods for a long time...but for lack of anything else to do (I don't have health insurance) I decided that just once I'd give it a try to give up some of my vices for at least a month. I started with the drinking and soda and am now almost two weeks into my smoking quit.

And......after the initial crappiness of various withdrawal symptoms I actually feel like I have a better handle on my mental state than I have in a long time. I'll note that I'm still drinking coffee and that I'm quitting smoking the same way I did last time - with ecigs. (I know there's studies both for and against their use. To me, it's better than cigarettes and the only way I've ever been able to quit; but I respect that others aren't comfortable with them.) I don't really want to go back to what I was doing after seeing some actual benefits for me. It's a weird place to find myself, but a good one.

I'm curious about other stories where someone tried something that was supposed to help despite not thinking it actually would, and then had it turn out to do a lot of good? I'm talking in terms of both mental and physical health. I'm not in a place to be all evangelical about healthy lifestyles (heh), but it's definitely been a learning experience for me.

[The Wisp]

Group therapy is something that has helped my mental health. I thought that the notion of somebody with social anxiety benefiting from group therapy to be absurd, however both the groups I've been apart of have been great experiences. I wouldn't say there are any big noticeable shifts, but I think it has helped me keep moving forward and it has helped in many small ways.

[reboot]

Yoga. I never thought it would do anything but make me more flexible, but it has been incredible for focus and breathing through some of my PTSD symptoms

[reboundstudent]

Weight lifting! I was told over and over how beneficial exercise is, but every time I went to the gym and ran of the treadmill, I'd just feel bored and exhausted. I discovered NerdFitness about 3 years ago, where there is a very heavy emphasis on lifting over straight-up aerobic running, but again, dismissed it-I mean, I'm a girl, I don't want to get all bulky!

Finally though I tried out a few exercises, and found I really enjoyed it. It was a lot more engaging than running, left me feeling worked but not dead-on-my-feet, and offered a lot more variety. A few months ago, I got some pointers from a friend who lifts to improve my form, and I find I feel a lot better not only physically but emotionally after weight lifting.

[SarahGryph]

Thanks for the responses, I didn't think it was just me who finally got around to trying something that actually helped!

Exercise and therapy are two more things I'm bad at giving fair chances; it's nice to have the reminder when I'm ready to add more to my plate. I was having good luck with an exercise bike and a good audiobook but I didn't keep at it long enough to make it a real habit. Good incentive to try it again or experiment with other ways of getting myself moving.

[Wondering]

For me it was my insulin pump. I was a diabetic under good control, so I thought, how much better can I get? And I don't want something attached to me all the time. Do I really need it?

Boy howdy. Now I have phenomenal control, like non-diabetic test results control. Enough to safely have a baby!

[Guest]

Work.

It's negatively impacted my physical health, but after some minor problems at the start, been exactly what I needed mentally. Part distraction, part proof that I'm not useless.

[kleenestar]

Meditation. I rolled my eyes at first, and I still have to call it "mindfulness training" to myself to avoid my inner critic laughing at me, but wow, does it help a lot with anxiety. (I imagine it would help with depression as well, but I haven't had an episode since I started.)

[Downvote]

Group therapy. I was thinking it cant help me but gave it a try and it was great help getting me feeling much better.

Gym exercise. Before I was totally jogging running walking biking outside but gym and especially working with weights have made big impact to my self image.

[OtherRoooToo]

Meditation. I rolled my eyes at first, and I still have to call it "mindfulness training" to myself to avoid my inner critic laughing at me, but wow, does it help a lot with anxiety. (I imagine it would help with depression as well, but I haven't had an episode since I started.)

This is a ... good reminder.

Kleenestar, if you're around to respond, I'm wondering for how long you sit at a time in a "session" ...?

[kleenestar]

I do multiple sessions a day - basically as long as it takes for me to calm my thoughts, which can take anywhere from one to twenty minutes.

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