Exercise and Depression
Deadlift against Depression because Depression . Sucks .
What do you do when you find yourself spiraling down. For anyone that goes through bouts of depression, it is not uncommon to think that you have a handle on things finally and are feeling a bit better and then to suddenly find yourself back in the jaws of depression. Right now, I am not talking about deadlifting in order to build your best body, because a great body with a mind that is depressed is not worth too much to anybody.
It is similar to those who have great bank accounts yet still suffer with depression. They have excellent financial health and cannot cope sometimes with the demons in their minds. So, just being financially wealthy or a physical adonis is not the panacea to coping with depression.
I cannot yet explain why, but I am sure as I research it more, there will be more clues as to why after certain foods and activities, I feel some lessening of the pain, some sense of relief from the dark cloud which not only affects us, but also affects those who care about us. Frankly, as you know, it is no so easy for other people to handle when we are depressed. It is even difficult for me and I certainly should understand, however when I face the anger and wrath of a person who is mired in a deep depression, what choices do I have, how can I help?
Everything I have said right now is a short introduction to deadlifting against depression. The last few days, I have been mired and I could not find any way out too easily. The look of disappointment, that look of sulk, that look of depression, that look of cold stone, no expression, futility in life, hopelessness, pain was very difficult to wipe off of my face and that is so difficult for the people that love us and look to us to be their light and rock.
So why do I say to deadlift against depression? I found today that after an hour walk, a long walk to quell anxieties and to think, but not to feel depressed, to think about what I do have and what I can be grateful for, that long walk made me feel good enough to get to the gym and to do squats and deadlifts.
I am going back to what I like to call the lower body workout days and then upper body. I just do not have the time or energy to spend more than an hour in the gym and I do not see how I can get a full body workout done in less time. If you know, dont hold back, my goal here is to make progress and not to pretend that I have all the answers.
After 6 sets of 5 rep squats where I went up from a warm up set of 45lbs to squats with 65lbs, 85lbs, 95lbs, and 105lbs , I did one more set with of 5 repetitions with 110lbs. I felt great because only a month ago I could barely stand up because of a muscle pull or strain. After the squat sets, I did deadlifts with 135lbs for 5 reps, then 155lbs for 5 reps and then the last set with 160lbs for 5 reps.
Was I deadlifting to get into great shape or better shape? No. I was deadlifting against depression. I did not want to go to the gym, but I am sure glad that I did because when I walked out, I felt alot better and so far getting on with the day. Maybe deadlifts are not for you, but whatever exercise that you can commit to, try that, even starting with the easiest of them all, go for a walk. I do not think that a short walk is the answer, take a long one, go walk for an hour if you do not have the time, energy or equipment to deadlift against depression.
But if you can deadlift and you want to fight your depression, then go do it. Make sure to warm up and follow the 7 rules for proper deadlift form and when you are lifting that weight, just imagine that in the same way that you are lifting this heavy weight off the ground, so too can you lift the weighty thoughts from your memories and thinking in the present as well as future anxieties. Everyone has heard that thoughts can ‘weigh' us down, because they do, bad thoughts, thoughts about memories, situations and fears do weigh us down all the time and you have to demonstrate to yourself that you have the mental strength to lift them out of your mind. Deadlift against depression. Take action that you can against depression, better food, better workout and better thinking. Appreciate what you have right now. Hopefully we can all have a better day and continue to stay strong from now on.
While there are no cures for depression, I hope that deadlifting against depression is one strategy that you might find useful to help lessen the pain.
Please let me know if it has helped you.
Rich is a Certified Personal Trainer-AAPT and 