Posted by morganpmiller on August 5, 2009, at 21:12:40
In reply to Re: Video Excercise + Bipolar, posted by SLS on August 5, 2009, at 17:31:00
I'm bipolar and exercise was a must for years. It was the only thing that made me feel normal, other than feeling a strong connection with a woman. The only reason why I'm not benefiting from it now is because I wrecked my body and exercise turned into physical therapy. I am also experiencing issues with my brain that I am having a hard time explaining. It has also been harder and harder to experience such relief after my first major mixed episode that sent me into the hospital. Since than I have not consistently been on medications that have really helped me. I also have not stopped stressing out about a few of the things that contributed to my hospitalization.
I find that the better your meds are working for you, the more likely you will find relief from exercise.
Weight training is good, but if it is not followed by intense cardio, it will not help much by itself. When doing cardio training it is important to get in that zone where you are almost meditating. Sometimes even shutting your eyes can help, unless you are running on the treadmill of course.
When you do cardio, you want to do just enough to exhaust that negative energy and gain positive energy at the same time. You might jump from the treadmill to the bike, or the bike to the treadmill, just to mix things up. If you belong to a gym like Gold's, you should check out some of the spinning classes. Whatever you do, make sure you stretch for at least 10 or 15 minutes after your workout as stretching has been shown to increase levels of GABA.
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/03_treatment_app.html#Anchor-What-50896
poster:morganpmiller
thread:910401
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090801/msgs/910479.html