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40% fewer bad mental health days with exercise.
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Global Cycling Network has a worthwhile video on mental health and cycling - about 23 minutes.



Team sports were actually ahead of individual/solo sports. They say that cycling is at the top of individual sports/workouts.

So while training won't eliminate bad days, at least we're having 40% fewer bad days than others who don't train. Wow, it's hard to imagine having 40% more poor mental health days.

Indoor Triathlete - I thought I was right, until I realized I was wrong.
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Re: 40% fewer bad mental health days with exercise. [IT] [ In reply to ]
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As someone who's been banned from all exercise pending cardiological investigations since December I can say the black dog has been circling. CT cardiac scan in April, not likely to know the result until sometime May.

Hiking, walking, cycling, gym is how I relax and clear my head. Its been a rough couple of months so far.
Last edited by: Longdog: Feb 10, 19 5:07
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Re: 40% fewer bad mental health days with exercise. [IT] [ In reply to ]
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My wife tells me I have male PMS when I don’t get to exercise regularly.

I also become moody when I’m overtraining so there’s a fine line I have to walk.
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Re: 40% fewer bad mental health days with exercise. [IT] [ In reply to ]
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Just want to say that I really appreciate some of GCN's more serious content.

The video on eating disorders (found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_2bybJWQFg), and now this one come to mind, although surely there are others I am forgetting. These are quality videos tackling serious issues with fact based science, and not anecdotal evidence.

I think Si is hilarious and entertaining in the day to day videos, but does a great job getting serious on some real issues in the cycling world.

Keep it up GCN!
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Re: 40% fewer bad mental health days with exercise. [Parkland] [ In reply to ]
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Parkland wrote:
My wife tells me I have male PMS when I don’t get to exercise regularly.

I also become moody when I’m overtraining so there’s a fine line I have to walk.

When I was a moody teenager, my mother would say, "Why don't you go for a bike ride?". After a ride, I was probably bearable for the rest of the day and into the next.

There is also the overdoing it where you've trashed yourself and feel like trash.

Indoor Triathlete - I thought I was right, until I realized I was wrong.
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Re: 40% fewer bad mental health days with exercise. [IT] [ In reply to ]
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It's been known for sometime that exercise can boost mood. In fact, many mental heath professional prescribe exercise for depression and anxiety, along with other treatments.
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Re: 40% fewer bad mental health days with exercise. [squid] [ In reply to ]
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I find myself doing fine when I skip a few days of exercise, but I thrive when I exercise regularly. In all aspects of my life (work/relationships/etc.), a good workout in the morning is like a catapult that gets me started to a good day.

It's also what makes taper weeks a lot harder, especially when anxiety due to an upcoming race is probably at its peak, and my main outlet isn't something I have access to.
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Re: 40% fewer bad mental health days with exercise. [stax88] [ In reply to ]
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x2.

If I don't get something done in the morning, I am irritable until I do.

Also, I've noticed that the type of session makes a whole difference. I haven't been "training" since November... In the meantime I've been doing 60 min aerobic spins on Zwift, usually. These sessions don't do much for improving mood, but I can honestly say that after thrashing myself during a 45 minute race on Zwift I am firing on all cylinders.

With that said, I can't wait until I am done studying for the bar and my ITBS is under control. hah.

@floathammerholdon | @partners_in_tri
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Re: 40% fewer bad mental health days with exercise. [IT] [ In reply to ]
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This one hits close to home for me. At times I struggle fairly severely with mental health issues and it is very apparent to me how differently my thought processes are when I am not able to exercise. If I can exercise outside the difference is even more dramatically improved. As a sober alcoholic in long term recovery, I absolutely have to monitor my thoughts more closely when I don't get enough physical activity. It is a night and day difference for me with how I am able to process things.
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Re: 40% fewer bad mental health days with exercise. [IT] [ In reply to ]
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I wonder if the stress from watching your CTL potentially drop leading up to a race contributes to bad mental health...
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Re: 40% fewer bad mental health days with exercise. [cloy] [ In reply to ]
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cloy wrote:
x2.

Also, I've noticed that the type of session makes a whole difference. I haven't been "training" since November... In the meantime I've been doing 60 min aerobic spins on Zwift, usually. These sessions don't do much for improving mood, but I can honestly say that after thrashing myself during a 45 minute race on Zwift I am firing on all cylinders.

Your experience reminds me of the GCN rider who was tested. They tested his brain waves and blood circulation at three levels.

There was a little bit of "woe" in his voice when he realized that it took him 241 watts to take his mind off his troubles. Guess he is in better shape then I am lol

Perhaps we don't have to go as hard outside or while riding with friends to be mindful of what we are doing. Yet, going harder does break my mental misery in order to confront the physical challenge.

Indoor Triathlete - I thought I was right, until I realized I was wrong.
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Re: 40% fewer bad mental health days with exercise. [Parkland] [ In reply to ]
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Parkland wrote:
My wife tells me I have male PMS when I don’t get to exercise regularly.

Like I've said before: Endorphin Withdrawal is a terrible thing to experience, and horrible to watch

"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin
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