Chronic Depression & Low Self-Worth

[bondagefreak]

Over the last couple of years, it seems as though lots of members - many of whom I've come to greatly appreciate - have fallen into recurring cycles of deep depression and general discouragement. Some of it is work-related, family-related or health-related. With many things being out of our own immediate control, depression can seem insurmountable at times. I sympathise.


I've spoken to a lot of members - and RL friends - affected by this condition over the years. One commonality I've noticed is the self-admitted sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise. I'd just like to remind everyone affected by depression (whether chronic or not) that exercise - specifically weight lifting - is scientifically proven to help a great deal.

And no, I don't mean going to the gym.

Weight lifting can be done at home, with little more than cheap resistance bands and a pair or two of 10-20 lbs (4.5-9kg) weights.
30-40 minutes of physical activity per day can greatly help in the fight against depression.


Most people, especially those living in dense urban settings, do not get sufficient vitamin C and D, do not drink enough water and do not exercise enough. The combination of these things not only augments one's chances of developing health problems but also makes one more susceptible to chronic depression and feelings of low self-worth.

Exercise - weight training in particular - is all too often completely ignored even though it's been shown to be the most useful form of exercise to combat recurring depression. If you feel at all compelled by this message or recognise yourself as someone who regularly deals with depression, do yourself a favour and try it out for a couple of weeks.

* A quick YouTube search will yield plenty of helpful videos showing light/beginner at-home weightlifting routines for both men and women, as well as countless testimonials confirming the positive mental health effects of regular physical activity.

Hope some of you will take this advice to heart. Feel free to share your own relevant experiences if you have any.

[captured_prize]

Thank you for bringing this up bondagefreak. I too have gone through cycles where I get a little too sedentary and each time it happens it has a negative effect on my mental health. A few months ago, I decided to give weightlifting a try. Prior to that, I usually just did pushups, crunches, and a fair bit of cardio. I don't go to a gym. If you got the money, I recommend getting an adjustable set of dumbells. That way, you can change the weight as you progress or use whatever weight you are comfortable with for the exercise you are doing.

Seriously, I don't why I didn't start sooner! Once you get into it, it is a lot of fun and I look forward to my weightlifting sessions (yes, even legs!). My mood has improved, I'm gaining more muscle, and I'm the strongest I've ever been in my life. Doing everyday things becomes easier after some weight training. Relating back to bondage, I can sit up against the wall bound and gagged for longer periods now since the back cramps I was getting seemed to have gone away.

Long story short, weightlifting feels good.

[copperfox]

The importance of having an active lifestyle and engaging in routine exercise really can’t be overstated, in my opinion.

A huge outlet for me is running. For a lot of us…our daily jobs involve sitting in an office, attending meetings, and typing away in front of a screen 8 to 10 hours a day. Running is a way for me to destress and productively expend the significant amount of pent up energy (often with a side of frustration) that would otherwise not have anywhere else to go.

Running is a great form of exercise as well because it can get you outside where you can actually get some fresh air and enjoy nature. Again—my day mostly consists of being confined to an office environment, so getting home and going out for a run is just a great day to end the day.

Lastly, I’ll also mention that’s it is, generally speaking, relatively easy to find and join a running/walking group or club. This not only helps from a motivation and accountability perspective, but is also a great way to meet new (maybe even like-minded ) friends in your neighborhood or community.

Whatever you do, though…exercise! Start somewhere. Walk, run, lift weight…doing anything is absolutely better than doing nothing at all.

[shyguy92]

I appreciate the advice.

Problem is, I intellectually know it's true, but the rest of me feels like I never have the energy to do it. Hard to go work out when you're just barely making it through the workday.

I still try. But it's tough.

[illest]

I have off-and-on experience with exercise. I'm in a nasty loop where I work from 2 to 11, which means in my area there's no real safe way to get out and exercise. So ideally the course of action would be to hop in bed and sleep as soon as I get home, right? My body doesn't work that way. It just refuses to sleep until at least 3:30-4 a.m., and I wake up with just enough time to start going through the blender again.

I work retail so my job has me walking back and forth a lot, but it's also given me a apathy at being around people outside work. On my down time I'm mostly at peace either making music, drawing or gaming.

I feel like finding a way to wind down quicker after work would be a start, but I'm just so hyper after work. My body doesn't want rest after work and my brain is in overload for hours afterward. At one time setting the TV to rain helped but my body's desensitized to it and hearing rain(at least at night when I need it to work) makes me no more or less sleepy than anything else.

[Xtc]

A WORD FROM ADMIN HERE.

This thread is, strictly speaking, off topic here but, being important, I am ignoring that.

You might think I am being a bit two-faced here - and you'd be right.

Anybody who objects can have my resignation by return - as long as that is what the membership demands.

NB. Please do not fly to my defence unless I am obviously under attack. Let's keep the thread clear for more constructive posts.
Thank you, People,
Xtc

[OrdinaryWorld]

I appreciate this post and thank you @Xtc for deciding to leave it up.

This thread pushed me to order some dumbbells and resistance straps online :)

[Nainur]

I strongly support the decision to let it open, @Xtc , for offering a chance to speak up can be a help. Not talking is a highway to fall deeper and deeper, and all therapies I know of stress the importance of it.

But, folks, whoever you are, whereever you are: more often than not, there's no alternative to search for professional help (and I am not!). Searching for assistance is no weakness, but needs courage!

[SoTired]

As someone who has suffered with both of these for many a year, I really appreciate it being spoken about. Its an incredibly difficult road, and isn't something that society is on terms with nearly enough.

I agree with what @shyguy92 said - having the energy to make a change is one of the hardest things to do, maybe only second to knowing you have a problem, and wanting to make a change. But doing just a tiny bit - going for a small walk, speaking to a loved one - makes a load of difference. Small steps!

For anyone else who this applies to, my DMs are always open - whether it be a simple hello, a vent or literally anything else, I know how much the contact can help. Feel free to reach out. Just know that you are always loved, even when it feels like all else is the case <3

[tiedinbluetights]

Thanks @bondagefreak for this valuable reminder and thanks @Xtc for keeping the thread. I'd argue, as some commentators have pointed out, there is relevance to tie up games in that a healthy body and mind makes one more fit for extended tie-ups.

Weightlifting and other weight-training exercises, along with a healthy does of cardio, can do wonders to combat low self-worth. Unfortunately, in my case my occasional depressive relapses have nothing to do with my self-worth. In my particular case, having a tandem team of psychotherapist and physiotherapist has been and remains essential in keeping myself motivated. And since not everyone can afford the latter, @SoTired's offer of a sympathetic shoulder and ear is much appreciated. Having a group of people to rely on for support is also very important.

And to stay on topic of TUGs, I'd argue that aftercare, while rarely mentioned in TUG stories, is an important aspect in real-life tie-up games.

[cboy]

actually hilarious that the OP makes this thread

[OrdinaryWorld]

actually hilarious that the OP makes this thread

I'm curious, why?

[bondagefreak]

Just wanna bump this to say how happy I am with the response this has garnered. Numerous users have reached out to me; some to ask for fitness-related advice, others to share their fitness routines and/or nutrition plans. We have even members who've installed stepcounter apps on their phones and embarked on 7-10K daily step challenges. Keep it up, guys.

[Starcomet]

I am a scholar! I am no gym rat . I have other means of dealing with depression.