Poll Exercise And Ptsd

[Kb3]

Yoga - I forgot that one. It's excellent! Also I have read that it can be really helpful w/PTSD. Bessel van der kolk has done a lot of research about the positive effects of yoga. He advocates kripalu, but I can't find a class near me so I just do one that focusses a lot on breathing.

 

[kodiak]

I also had a exercise obsession I would exercise 3 1/2 hours a day at the gym which was not good it ended up causing more stress which increased my symptons even more.

 

[Ted Moen]

My T was big on exercise as a key part of my therapeutic program, and I was still in the military, which was big on pt anyway, so it was easy for me to build regular exercise into my lifestyle. I liked to jog first thing in the morning for an hour or so, then do a half hour of exercises followed by a half hour of stretches. At some point in the workout, the intrusive thoughts and feelings I woke up with would dissipate and my focus would shift to my current activities. Even after 11 years of retirement I still exercise a lot, though I have had to substitute an elliptical jogging machine for actual jogging, and it still serves the same therapeutic purpose.

Ted

 

[matthios]

And this is when I wish I weren't disabled... *jealous*

 

[Harry M.]

I can't speak highly enough for exercise. It was my physician who encouraged me to start brisk walking 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. Now I only miss a max of 1 day a week (due to scheduling problems). Only problem is the startle response goes off with street noise, but I just blow it off now. I also find it helps to just talk out loud and get some anxiety or anger out, with no one else around affected. Now I miss it if I don't go on my walk. Helps a lot!

 

[JustBe]

I agree. Walking the dogs daily helps with the anxiety and panic as well as helping me to feel stronger. I wish I could try walking in new places or go on hikes like I used to though. We just do the same loop around the neighborhood day after day. There is no through traffic and except on weekends and holidays it is very quiet here.

 

[Harry M.]

Luckily stores are within a mile from our house, so I make an excuse to stop in for one thing in the grocery store an chat with my favorite clerks. Helps with the isolating a lot, too, and I get that one thing I need to make dinner. Two birds - one stone. :)

 

[SweetPeaandSunBird]

Yoga - I forgot that one. It's excellent! Also I have read that it can be really helpful w/PTSD. Bessel van der kolk has done a lot of research about the positive effects of yoga.

I love yoga and Bessel van der Kolk. He (along with Judith? Herman) was one of the first researchers that I started reading voraciously to help me understand all sorts of things about PTSd.

Yoga was tricky for me before I got on medication. Relaxation meant vulnerability (not paying attention to surrounds while trying to pay attention to poses and breathing). I used to have abreactions every time I tried to relax into some of the lying down poses. But, now, I can't wait to get to the lying down poses at the end of the routine. One session of yoga has essentially a 48-72 hour shelf-life of benefits for me. It seems to realign everything.

(My self-discipline needs work, though, and keeping with the routine.:banghead: )

 

[Britt.f7]

My physical illness does limit my ability to exercise. However, there are also issues mentally. I think, mentally, it is really difficult to do things that I know are good for myself. I would rather not eat then exercise. Neither of those are good for me not to do. I'm not even good with doing exercise at home.

Now, before I got into this down slump(about 2.5 months ago), I had started exercising a few times a week. Plus I was more active then I now am. Thankfully, my physical health let me do this. I tried not to get panicky about the people I was going to run into at the club. Tried not to focus on them. Or, if I did, I tried to notice the one's who were in the same shape as I was and think of the positives of them doing it. If I looked at the people who already were in shape, I would just feel bad and inadequate. Then my mental health became bad again and I am immobile at home. I'm trying, baby steps, to get out of this slump with meds and therapy.

As far as yoga, I've tried that and tai chi and I can not get my head around either of those. Actually, my head does not shut up enough to help me relax. Too hard to get that calm and centered even in my own house.

Granted, with most exercise I have to, one, make sure I don't put myself into any arrhythmia(even safe kinds because my defibrillator can not tell the difference), or put myself in a position that would take the chance of dropping my bp too quickly and passing out. Doesn't exactly add a positive reinforcement for exercise.

 

[Viosinger]

Whoops! Missed answering that exercise seems to help quite a bit. On difficult weeks where my symptoms are bad... It's harder to work out with the fatigue, physical pain, and mental space I'm in.

I try to keep up with Muay Thai. Kicking the shit out of something is certainly helpful :-)

 

[ResaLock]

I believe that exercise is good for PTSD. I used to get out and exercise. Not systematically, but walking around town causally going to certain points and keeping in contact with people, getting at least a mile worth of walking in and make sure I am not isolated. Then I went through more traumas and did wind up isolating myself. Then I got more injuries from accidents which hinder me a bit.

So I am hindered and always tired from my pain and injuries.
...but I guess I could do some. Even if its on my couch. (laughing)

I think it is very good for us.

 

[bluelicorice]

I exercise pretty much daily; I find its great for relieving stress . Since my diagnosis I've had troubles with eating and have lost a lot of weight, so the exercise also helps me to feel more hungry and eat a fair bit more. I have to be careful though, because I also want to exercise when I am angry or very anxious and at those times I tend to overdo it.