Does exercise make you feel happy?

[Forgotten_Man]

Lonewolf and Forgotten sometimes the problem isn't that other people don't think you're good-looking it's that they think you're closed-off, and you're jumping to conclusions based on how you want to feel about yourself.

Most of the time that is the case. However, I am a rare exception to the rule. Because I have tried thinking I am good-looking and worthwhile. Yet oddly enough I received no attention.

[gloomy]

Lonewolf sorry to hear about your condition(s)… maybe for your teeth you could try straight baking soda? It's kind of gross and you don't want to do it too often, but it worked for me… almost immediately. The hair thing probably isn't such a problem and you can always get it removed if it's such a big deal to you… not sure about the skin problem, though.

Anyways, I don't think the solution is to think that you're good-looking and worthwhile because chances are that means you're going to overcompensate. I think the answer is to not think anything and just put looks/personality completely out of your mind. Stop trying to impress people and just go with the flow… I've always had the best luck with people when I'm relaxed and not thinking about myself or worrying about how I look or what I'm saying, because all of that stuff just takes you out of the moment and makes you lose focus on whoever it is you're talking to.

I have anxieties that sometimes creep up and I am pretty sensitive when people say things or situations where I have to do things that I can't usually do without freaking out, but even with that, I still think that it's possible for anyone to lose themselves in the moment.

[TheLoneWolf]

gloomy, thanks for the advice. I've already tried a lot of things to improve my looks, but I kind of gave up because nothing seemed to help. And besides, even if I was good looking, I suffer from crippling shyness and anxiety. Even when I'm relaxed, I still come across awkwardly in social situations. It's not something I'm personally even aware of, just something I've been told. Years of people telling me that I'm awkward and weird and that I give off negative vibes certainly haven't helped my confidence. Really the only reason I'm able to interact with people at all is because I'm getting to the age where I no longer give a shit what people think of me and my weird awkwardness. I can't help it, I really don't know what they expect me to do about it. If I could change it, believe me, I would.

Anyway, thank you for trying to help. I do appreciate the effort, even if I am hopeless.

[Forgotten_Man]

You know it has been so long since I was last... well sick while working out. I forgot that when you do not feel well when working out. It turns all those natural high chemicals into depressants. Because right now it is taking all my will power to not drive over to my mom's house and run my car in her garage with me in it.

[red ribbons]

The endorphins generated by exercise are only temporary unless you do it over and over. If I work in the yard, I stay "up" longer because I've accomplished something I can see.

[lachrymose27]

I feel better after exercising. Some form of relief.

[letmego3]

Yes it does help me because it reduces my depression.

[Mr Stewart]

It does for a brief period after, yes. The problem is that depression puts me in the mindset of not wanting to, or refusing to, go to the trouble of going outside and being active in the first place. Meds have helped a bit with that though. I am more willing to start something mentally or physically engaging than I was without them now.

[normaljoe]

yes, i started a work out routine with a friend and my depression is lighter on the days i work out and my self esteem seems to have risen, I am able to blow off random jokes about how skinny I am that would have normally destroyed me. my PTSD is unchanged though. :-(

[kote]

It does for a brief period after, yes. The problem is that depression puts me in the mindset of not wanting to, or refusing to, go to the trouble of going outside and being active in the first place. Meds have helped a bit with that though. I am more willing to start something mentally or physically engaging than I was without them now.

im very similar in that i cant get out or motivated. but twice a week my daughters and i go and practice kendo with a team. ive played for 7 years all throughout my breakdown. just for 3 hours a day twice a week i can hide and burn up all the stress and crap.

after a real good workout and a real good sweat i feel on top of the world. it is what keeps me going day to day week to week. otherwise im just in bed.

i wish i could play more often!!!