Categories: depression, anxiety, stress, work, exercise
Date: 04 June 2009 10:31:49
I went to Step tonight.
I did plan to a have a night in: I wasn't going to trivia as I was feeling a bit tired -- and sore. But after some stress [brought on myself I add] at work today, I needed to get out and do something -- and Step was perfectly timed at 18:45. I did wonder how I would go, considering my legs still ached and were stiff [I did not so much enter my car or sit on a chair as collapse on an angle into both seats!], but I seem alright...so far.
While I agreed [and laughed!] with many of your comments below, Katya was very much on the mark in terms of it being good for the body and the mind: and for me, the mind in particular. Exercise does help greatly with my anxiety, stress and depression. It does not take them away, there are still there: but it does help. And, despite any pain or suffering my poor weak self goes through, it is clear this week that it helps me sleep [pure exhaustion probably!] and helps me cope.
With me identifying an error in a program today at work that I tested, I was beating up on myself -- expecting perfection -- and heading towards a withdrawl into myself. When I got home and recognised the signs [for me: agitation; restlessness; self-doubt; dwelling on past failures, or fear of a future one -- lunch tomorrow with 'the guys': yes, my lack of self-esteem means I think about this each week...sad I know], I realised I needed to do something. I was not in the state to sit and try my cognitive behaviour therapy [laziness? probably], so exercise seemed like a good release. And thanks be to God I think it was.
Of course -- I may not be able to walk tomorrow. But perhaps a small price to pay. :)