I know many people just go to the pool, no matter what, they don't give themselves a choice, but I've succumbed to bad case of blues. Swimming always has been my salvation for depression, but now I am finding it very hard to get out of the house to get to the pool.
I know "inertia begets inertia" (I read that once); thus I just gotta get myself to the pool. Anyone out there have any ways they trick their minds/bodies when it feels like the world is made of cement? Drugs aren't the answer for me; been there, done them. Swimming really has been an incredible help. I have swim goals: I'm not accomplishing them due to the incredible pull of my cozy bed and evening "house" clothes.
Former Member
Jim you are describing what we used to call Cabin Fever. en.wikipedia.org/.../Cabin_fever
When I lived in Yellowknife in the NWT during full winter the sun would come up at 11am in the morning and set at 2.30pm in the afternoon
Hi Isobel,
I have the same issue, my depression is caused by other medications I take, and if I don't swim I fall into that "rabbit hole", as I call it.
What helps me is getting up in the morning and immediately changing into my suit. My bag is packed the night before, so I eat, get my kids to school and drive directly to the pool--no excuses. Once I got into a good 3 week habit, it was set. For the last 5 months I swim 3-4 times a week, depending on my schedule.
The Go the Distance challenge has also helped immensely. I look forward to coming home and entering that day's distance. Any distance is good distance.
I do not take anti-depressants, but am on birth control pills which help immensely. Feel free to PM me if you'd like.
I guess when you have blues you don't feel like doing anything, not just swimming. Then you stay home feeling worse and worse, vicious cycle. The other day I had a very bad experience and didn't feel like going swimming as usual. I almost didn't go (I think it was also a rainy day). But since I had brought all my swim gears with me, it didn't seem to be a good idea to carry them back without using them. So I finally went swimming. After swimming I felt really good, and I thought, if I hadn't gone swimming, what would I have done? Nothing anyway!
That's cool...personally, I have a 25 yard rule. Same concept...just show up all I have to do is one length...
I won't go into the three or four times I've violated this rule and either actually went to the pool, got undressed, and just went to the shower, or simply made a left turn and went directly to work.:cane::toohurt:
I was going to suggest something similar to what Mary1912 said. I have a "20-minute rule" for myself. If I'm leaning toward skipping swim practice because I don't feel well, or my throat's a little sore, or I think I might be coming down with a cold, or whatever, I tell myself that I'll go but I can get out after 20 minutes if I still don't feel well. I wasn't feeling well!
