r/GetMotivated • u/katxwoods • 19d ago
IMAGE If you're feeling terrible, try going for a walk outside [image]
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u/zool714 19d ago edited 18d ago
I know there’s a lot of stigma around these “Go outside” or “Go to gym” types of advice. But I can confidently say as someone who was in a deep rut for almost the whole of last year, while it doesn’t necessarily solve things, it helps.
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u/Annonomon 18d ago
It definitely can’t hurt. But people tend to think that everyone is wired the same way and what works for them must work for everyone. I tried managing through exercise, meditation, therapy, healthy eating and I still continued to deteriorate. I have come to accept that I need medication and every aspect of my life is better for it
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u/locklochlackluck 18d ago
Went out this morning in a storm and can confirm wind chill on my face hurt. It was still a good walk though.
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u/ComplexOwn209 18d ago
Even with clinical depression, without basic maintenance like taking a walk, exercise, the drugs would need to do much bigger lift
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u/redwingz11 18d ago
Even without sunshine (cloudy or at night), it kinda help. Im not sure why it just helps.
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u/AncientAxolotlArts 18d ago
Wow thanks, I'm cured! Don't ask me to take responsibility for my mental health, the only thing that can help me is unlimited accommodation by others!
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u/redwingz11 18d ago
What??? He didnt even say it cures or solves it just it helps
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u/AncientAxolotlArts 18d ago
...bro that is so very clearly sarcasm. How on earth are you reading the phrase "don't ask me to take responsibility for myself" seriously??? Media literacy is dead.
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u/redwingz11 18d ago
Why tho, it ends up looking mean for no reason and searching for a reason to be mad about. Why do you need to be sarcastic?
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u/TA2556 19d ago
Lots of genuine science backs this up. You'd be surprised at how much a short walk and fresh air can help!
It isn't going to magically cure your depression but it can certainly elevate your mood.
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u/Dougalface 18d ago
Absolutely -and the more intense and sustaned the cardio gets, the greater the benefits.
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u/jonathanquirk 18d ago
There’s a reason why our mental health takes a nosedive during winter; nature isn’t quite so healing when it’s dark and wet and cold all the time. If you live in a warm climate and next door to a forest or whatever, this is good advice… it’s less good if you live in a city closer to the arctic circle.
Nature IS good, I agree, but it’s not always available to people.
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u/Efficient_Wafer_9438 18d ago
If you can't go outside due to allergies, the weather, or for other reasons, consider stretching. Taking a few minutes to stretch from head to toe works wonders!
*just offering other options as "going outside for a walk" is a real privilege, yet something everyone cannot necessarily do. There's always more than one way to do something. Hope this helps. Welp, I'm gonna take a "dance break".
Stay positive
Cheers ✨️
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u/diatonix 19d ago
Walk with music first thing in the morning before your phone... It will do way more than you think is possible
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u/xGalasko 19d ago
How am I gonna music without my phone
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u/diatonix 19d ago
Lol i have all my apps shut off in the morning on Bedtime or Focus mode, whatever your phone has, but Spotify is allowed
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u/Rabid-Duck-King 18d ago
I don't know, every time I try to go camping nature tries to kill me with freak snow storms in july or tornados
I'm eying those fucking clouds as I go check the mail or take a quick walk around the block I tell you what
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u/cookieChimp 18d ago
Thats not how mental health works unfortunatly
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u/ValyrianJedi 1 18d ago
Study after study says otherwise
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u/cookieChimp 18d ago
It's putting a very complex topic into a "just go outdoors and touch grass". It is not as simple as that! While outside can help it is not the only factor for a well rounded well being. But post like this are so insensitive to the people that live with mental health issues. For example if your mental health issues comes from a schizophrenic disorder a "lol get outside" will not help at all.
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u/ValyrianJedi 1 18d ago
This subreddit has 10s of millions of people on it. If something had to be true for every one of them to be posted then nothing could ever be posted.
This is generally good advice, that is helpful to the vast majority of people. What you are doing is equivalent to hearing someone say "if you get a cut you should clean it and put a bandage on" and being like "oh yeah, what if my leg gets cut off by a chainsaw? Guess I'll just put a bandaid on it", as if the fact that extreme cases exist means that sound advice isn't still sound advice.
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u/jak_d_ripr 19d ago
Not that I disagree, but it's funny you posted this while we're in the middle of a snow storm.
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u/BIGzayy 19d ago
We? Who's "we"?
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u/caitydork 18d ago
Seconding this. I'm on the equator and it's currently 86°F. Only fake snow for Christmas displays here
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u/VeracitiSiempre 19d ago
My therapist suggested this. Too bad I'm just literally not one to enjoy walks. "That guy is clearly dealing drugs. I hope he doesn't consider me a threat or informant or something"
"That dog is roaming freely, fuckin hope it doesn't bite me. Oh shit it did. Off to the ER"
Etc. But with an edit: I'm forcing myself to go regardless. But I have not hit the enjoyment phase yet.
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u/Shamanized 18d ago
It’s seriously a practice thing, and where you walk can definitely vary the enjoyment. All of it’s great for sure, but places where you don’t have to worry as much like parks are more ideal
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u/Superkamiguru94 18d ago
Outside? Where all the people making me depressed are?
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u/ValyrianJedi 1 18d ago
Thinking that other people are responsible for your depression generally doesn't help with depression
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u/RetroFurui 18d ago
I can't recall ever having gotten better in a walk. Afterwards just because "I did something mildly productive today" but never midwalk.
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u/ImaginaryDamage8418 18d ago
Tbh nothing makes a difference for me I am just counting days let's see how long can i take it
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u/ostapenkoed2007 18d ago
it would be brought up with parents, and that would bring negativity and ruin results. tahnks.
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u/puffbus420 18d ago
It's freezing cold and glare ice outside walking around right now is stressful not relaxing
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u/houndsoflu 18d ago
Usually people aren’t saying that physical activity is going to cure depression, but it does help take the edge off. Certainly better than doom scrolling.
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u/Commander72 18d ago
Doesn't work on the gulf coast for me. Try to go for a light walk amd come back drenched in sweat and more pissed off then when I started.
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u/Left_Computer6234 17d ago
Yes. Getting close to nature really helps. Also journaling with mebot greatly improves my mental health.
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u/Brando6677 17d ago
It’s not as simple as just getting outside…
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u/bearboyjd 17d ago
Not for everyone but a lot of people it is.
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u/Brando6677 17d ago
All I am saying is it may not help as much as this image shows. Even a little help is better than none.
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u/deadairis 18d ago
Trash advice but oh so easy to demand it works for everyone. One would assume leeches also prescribed.
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u/cabeachguy_94037 19d ago
It's 31F outside right now. I already feel better because I'm not outside.
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u/No-Tangerine-4612 18d ago
Am i different? Because when i go for a walk all those happiness of others elevate the evil mind of mine.I guess there is cause and effect relation.
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u/PatriotAmericanIdiot 19d ago
I can't anymore because I live in a building with a bad reputation cause everyone is on drugs. I just moved here in March and an trapped because roots is housing and I don't want to go back to the streets. I'm so lonely. I want to kill myself
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u/moralmeemo 18d ago
It is very cold and even with warm clothes, I can’t stand it very long. :( I’ll have to wait some months…
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u/OriginalZash 18d ago
Then try pulling yourself up by the bootstraps and just beat the unhappiness. Quality of life be damned.
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u/chennai94 19d ago
It's just too cold outside.
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u/dynamic_nugget 19d ago
Even better, go for a walk in the morning to wake you up (I feel you tho, I hate cold weather).
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u/Your_Conscious_ 18d ago
Sir, my legs haven’t worked in 5 years. The train took them. Now what ? lol
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u/chellebelle0234 18d ago
From where shall I get the dopamine to start the walk?
Not only do I need to get put the door, I first have to stop what I am doing, find pants, find shoes, find my water bottle, where are my earbuds?
Now it's 20 minutes later and I am even more tired.
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u/SuperHDplayer 19d ago
why now? do you think there are sad news going on now?
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u/VeracitiSiempre 19d ago
Depression exists
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u/SuperHDplayer 19d ago
of course it does. thats not what iam talking about.
dont use that trick against me you snake.
you fully understand what i mean. dont muddy the water.
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u/VeracitiSiempre 19d ago
Whoah there
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u/SuperHDplayer 18d ago
ermmm what the sigma??
bruuuh hell naaahhh wtf broooooo
i cant believe he said THAT.
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u/RealisticBarnacle115 19d ago
My heart doesn't guide me like that.