Oh, exercise – that thing you know is so good for you but is so difficult to do when depressed. Exercise isn’t just good for the physical benefits; research has shown that it can be just as effective as the leading medication and therapy treatments for depression. That’s why friends, family, and especially care providers keep recommending it.
The key to getting started with exercising when depressed is to start off small. Just get moving. If going for a walk is your goal and you’re stuck in bed, for instance:
Try not to judge, and instead celebrate each action you’re able to do. The exercises below can help get you started, based on where you’re at.
If there is one app to download for exercising while depressed, it's this one.
- Choose workouts that are as short as 30 seconds, based on where you are (bedroom, living room, work, sitting, standing, etc.).
- Customize based on mood (relaxing, energizing, intense, or fun) and length of workout.
Exercise is one of the best tools on managing depression. The cruel irony, of course, is that depression makes it harder to exercise...thankfully, it’s not impossible.
Yoga For Depression is a 15 min yoga practice to help balance and restore both the physical and emotional body.
Intermediate/advanced level.
Yoga for depression
This is a video for any person suffering with depression and anxiety that would like to start exercising but not sure how.
This sequence is ideal for those who want to sneak in a quick yoga break or for those who are in healing and want to practice a little bit of opening with the support of a chair.
Chair exercises seated workout by Lucy Wyndham-Read
Finally, you can have a stronger core than before... Without needing to go to the gym or lay out a yoga mat.
By Goodful
This video is a Chair Stretch Flow Class. Seated Total Body Routine
Join Natalie Ikeman, PA-C from the HCMC Golden Valley Clinic while she takes you through a low-intensity seated cardiovascular exercise.
By eHowFitness
You don't need a gym or equipment to get a great workout! These 3 exercises can be done from a couch.
*Note- exercising for the sake of getting active and feeling better emotionally is encouraged (losing weight isn't the goal of the videos recommended on the CFD website)
These moves will strengthen your core and keep you awake in the morning.
Note- CFD did not name this video. We are in no way implying that you are lazy. You are doing the best you can. This video simply had great workout ideas.
The best time for me to get more flexible is right before bed.
Welcome to a fun and exciting workout, that you can do in bed! Yes, you can stay nice and warm while you do this routine and of course, stay in your pajamas too.
*Note- exercising for the sake of getting active and feeling better emotionally is encouraged (losing weight isn't the goal of the videos recommended on the CFD website)
Note- CFD did not name this video. We are in no way implying that you are lazy. You are doing the best you can. This video simply had great workout ideas.
Relaxing yoga routine in bed.
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Let’s face it – depression can make reading really difficult. That’s why we’ve tried to make this website as accessible as possible – no long paragraphs, and text-to-speech capabilities. Simply highlight the text you want to read and press the play button.*
*if you are using text-to-speech on a mobile phone, make sure the sound is on