Personally I think it should be viewed from a heirarchy of needs. Exercise is a basic need like other food security, physical safety, sexual safety.
I think satisfying basic needs is a necessary, but not sufficient condition for mental health.
this post was submitted on 02 Mar 2026
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Mental Health
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As someone who struggles to manage mental illness, yeah people have become really knee jerk opposed to lifestyle change approaches to managing mental health. The research is really unambiguous. In DBT they teach you to exercise as part of the PLEASE skill for attending to your physical wellbeing, because its hard to be mentally alright if you feel like crap physically
Moving won't fix your mental health, but your mental health is unlikely to improve if you dont go physically move, its a really important part of taking care of your body
That being said, how you deliver a message has a huge bearing on whether its receieved, and the reason your message is one people are guarded against is because people constantly talk down to mentally ill folks and tell them how to "solve" their issues from a place of presumption. As a part of that, people frequently present exercise as a cure, and as someone who exercises every day it very much is not. Empathizing with that is worthwhile, as invalidating people also promotes poor mental health outcomes :)
Also there are real barriers to people accessing medication. For every medicated person that needs to add exercise to their mental health routine there is probably 2 or more that need medication but can't get it.
Is it raining? Go reenact a famous old movie.
Is it snowing? Find someone to throw snowballs with/at.
Is it sunny? Go take a nap in a hammock or find an ice cream bar.
By experience, I totally agree, doing outdoors activities is great for the mind. Also, the same as darker seasons make people depressive, I'd imagine spending all of one's free time in a dark room has a similar effect. Furthermore, there may even be cases the source of the person's mental issues is within the walls of his/her home aside from the darkness, so taking strolls, doing activities, etc. may serve as a moment to take the mind out of such issues.
I needed to hear this; thanks!
and can help more than medications would alone
I would argue that this advice is more relevant for people who don't require medication.
The community did not like that.
Yes because because people who require medication don't benefit from "wellness" practices the same way as people who don't require medication.
whatever it may be that gets you out of your current location and allows you to reflect and think.
This is the crux of your misunderstanding. People who receive medication for example, a genetic Serotonin imbalance, can't simply reflect on it and make it go away.
I am here again to remind you
Could also be how arrogant you sound.
Define "require medication" as mental health medication has been grossly over prescribed for a number of years now. It's an easy faux solution so doctors don't have to convince some people to sleep better, get a hobby, get offline and exercise.
Are you suggesting nobody needs medication?
No, I'm not suggesting that. That's why I said some people, not everyone. There are certainly cases where medication is absolutely the only answer, but time has shown that, in US particularly, doctors are reaching to medication for milder cases of depression etc. before even prescribing lifestyle changes and supplementation like vitamin D etc.
Okay cool. So what do people who don't require medication have to do with the experiences of people who do require medication?
I personally subscribe to the idea that what goes on between someone and their doctor isn't my business. Basic pro-life pro science.
"Define requiring medication" is about as relevant the question as "what is a woman." Which is a level of thinking I'm not going to acquiesce.
Take your pills then while your waiting for them to kick in maybe you should take some time to touch grass.
Reflection won't fix a serotonin imbalance, but exercise will increase serotonin production and time away from stressors will give you the clarity to better plan and live your life.
It could be that I'm an arrogant twat or could be that maybe just maybe I've been clinically depressed for most of my life. And maybe I've decided to spite life instead of taking an easy road.
I'm gonna go with option C. Zero tact.
Okay pot.
Like are you also autistic? The term "touch grass" is not a friendly one.
Ironic you suggest walking outside yet clearly cannot see the forest for the trees.
So it's an ableist pot.
I have AuDHD. This is a genuine question.
ableist
You called yourself a twat. Thats a sexist term. Maybe don't play that game.
Pot confirmed, Nice to meet you. I'm kettle.
Sounds like you need to touch grass.
I'll pray for you child.
Okay boomer
Were you ever diagnosed with obstinate defiant disorder? I pray you conquer that too I guess.
Okay boomer
Can someone kick the record player?
record player
Okay boomer
Eyy Chat no cap bet the rizzler will say it 6 7 times?
people who require medication don't benefit from "wellness" practices
Sure we do. Wellness practices AND medication. Pop your pill then go for a jog.
But yeah, that reflection nonsense is nonsense. I'm not a fucking mirror and I don't need alone time with my brain.
Source: I've tried it both ways.
people who require medication don't benefit from "wellness" practices the same way as people who don't require medication.
My biggest pet peeve is when people half quote something and respond as if the other half the quote doesn't exist.
I was just lazy, I read it. But I don't see how that changes anything.
You literally omitted "in the same way" so that you could say "sure we do" like I said "we don't at all".
So you're being rather dishonest to suggest the part you omitted had no meaning.
What do you mean by in the same way?
I think we do benefit from it in the same way. Once the modification covers the gap.
the user you advised that to uses lemmy as their personal venting diary, they're a regular. people probably didn't like the way you wrote it because they missed the latter word "just" in your post, misinterpreting the meaning entirely
I need to hear this for sure. I got 3 hours of sleep last night and had to go into the office when I’d usually work from home today. I’ll be exhausted when I get home and not want to do anything. There’s still snow blocking the trail and many sidewalks. Even the dog is staying at my ex’s so she’s not pushing me for a walk
Exercise is important but I think sleep is even more important. If I stay up late I force myself to do body weight fitness till I'm tired. It has mixed results. Apparently I need to do more crunches and less squats.
Great to hear that you found something that is working for you!
But not everyone has the same issues as you. For some it might be even contraproductive to reflect even more, because its their issue that they do it already too much
While it's helpful (and important for most people) to ALSO do physical activity, many (most?) people still need their medication.
I have never in my life told a single person to not take their meds.
Airbags will prevent more injuries in automobile accidents than seat belts will alone. This does not mean you shouldn't wear your seat belts. It means you should wear your seat belt and have a working airbag.
I like your metaphor, i think it's fitting very good :)
But the rest of your statement: i read your comments to Canconda in this way. I seems to me that you at least you are implying it.
Take your pills then while your waiting for them to kick in maybe you should take some time to touch grass.
Revisiting the metaphor: Canconda. Would be a person who has removed their airbag. Who is saying that actually they had a bad experience with an airbag once so it's not for them, and actually airbags don't work and are stupid. Nobody should use an airbag seat belts are fine and that's all you need.
I'm shocked you're being upvoted when you've basically just put words in OP's mouth. They didn't say anything about not taking medication.
Your point about "it might even be harmful for some people" makes about as much sense as not recommending leafy greens because some people might be allergic to them.
Reading comprehension on the internet. How dare you!