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does running help OCD


Guest simmo778

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Guest simmo778

I've only been running 3 miles the last 3 days but after I keep getting surges of relaxation and daydreaming which I haven't done in years because I'm so aware of my thoughts! I'm hoping I can build this up and get the benefits

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Intense exercise increases levels of BDNF and decreases levels of inflammation, which is good for people with most mental disorders, and good for the brain in general. It's thought that SSRIs might work, in part, because of their long-term effects on BDNF.

High intensity interval sprinting is better than running, but running also increases BDNF. Some people prefer running. I definitely find sprinting more fun/tolerable, personally.

Also, exercising in a place with lots of air pollution, has no net effect on BDNF, because air pollution lowers BDNF, counteracting the benefits. You're better off exercising in your home or a gym, than on a busy street or outside in a city, if those were all that were available to you.

Edited by anatta
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Guest simmo778

thanks very much for your reply. one problem I find is that I'm always thinking all the time and seem to be conscious of all my thoughts, I can get brief moments when things turn back to 'normal' and I get all excited then it just goes back to how it was before.

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from the many ive helped etc over the years the general consensus is a BIG yes , running really has helped many especially long distances

I do marathons , but not as a ocd thing im recovered but more of stress release from life i suppose

10k are a good distance , and by setting targets and challenges your focusing on good things and training brain to overcome hurldes at same time

keep at it simmo !!

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Would definiely recommend running, maybe print a schedule off the internet and do it 3 or 4 times a week and challenge yourslef to run a 10k in 3 months time if you are new to it. You'll look better, feel better and most of all it will lift your mind. I get very down with my thoughts, depression, OCD and always feel better for it even though I have low times when I don't go for a few weeks. You have inspired me to go this evening after my dinner at the gym, and I will think about your post as I do my miles :-) Good Luck.

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Yes it does.

Running can be a very mindful exercise with the runner just in the moment focusing on his breathing and action and where he is on the route.

There was a great film out when I was a child - "The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner" I was one such runner in my youth and always did well on the cross-country and road courses.

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Would definiely recommend running, maybe print a schedule off the internet and do it 3 or 4 times a week and challenge yourslef to run a 10k in 3 months time if you are new to it. You'll look better, feel better and most of all it will lift your mind. I get very down with my thoughts, depression, OCD and always feel better for it even though I have low times when I don't go for a few weeks. You have inspired me to go this evening after my dinner at the gym, and I will think about your post as I do my miles :-) Good Luck.

My philosophy is sit in house do nothing feel plop , or run and feel plop ?

Second one has much Better end results !

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I hated running when I was young, I always got a stitch & generally did not like the feeling. That was until I started boxing when I was 19 & then the head coach actually showed me the right way to breath when running, & now I really enjoy it! I just need to get myself motivated more! ;)

Yes it does.

Running can be a very mindful exercise with the runner just in the moment focusing on his breathing and action and where he is on the route.

There was a great film out when I was a child - "The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner" I was one such runner in my youth and always did well on the cross-country and road courses.

I've only seen the start of this film & really want to watch it, I like the old British 'kitchen sink' films, such as Saturday Night/Sunday Morning & A Taste of Honey :original:

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I have lived in and around Ealing for 12 years once. My wife went to evening classes at Ealing college opposite Ealing Studios where they made a lot of these films. In the Red Lion opposite were lots of pictures and no doubt the stars had liquid refreshment in the pub.

I also insured one feature film and loads of TV programmes.

Edited by taurean
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Cool! :original:

I saw the new year in watching Kind Hearts & Coronets with my mother, that was really good & I saw The Mouse That Roared a few weeks back, I really enjoyed that.

Shame they 'don't make em like that anymore!' *sigh* :original:

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Cool! :original:

I saw the new year in watching Kind Hearts & Coronets with my mother, that was really good & I saw The Mouse That Roared a few weeks back, I really enjoyed that.

Shame they 'don't make em like that anymore!' *sigh* :original:

I went down to Shepperton Studios on business too.

Separate to my later business commitments i had friends (and family - and my wife had too) working in the BBC and that got me into the bar in TV centre once. Plus I once lived near Lime Grove studios and took some of my professional exams at Alexandra Palace.

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Coming back to the topic, walking and exercise also help combat OCD as does yoga which I sometimes practice as did my Dad who had some OCD.

I think a lot of Dad's problems came from his experiences in the war though - he was a troop-carrying glider pilot and when he hit the ground behind enemy lines he effectively became a commando. He never - ever - spoke to me about it - most of his experiences we learned from his sister. .

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I went down to Shepperton Studios on business too.

Separate to my later business commitments i had friends (and family - and my wife had too) working in the BBC and that got me into the bar in TV centre once. Plus I once lived near Lime Grove studios and took some of my professional exams at Alexandra Palace.

To think, if you'd only have bought the right person a pint, you could've been the next star of the small screen! :original:

Eastenders, Minder, The Sweeney,.....

Back to the running though, I am certainly going to try & keep it up this time, I definetly feel better after going for a run yesterday, it's keeping the motivation up now.

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I think a lot of people who exercise do find it helpful, a great natural refocus. Something I mentioned to someone the other day is does the amount of exercise help? I found when I was not fit, the cycling did make the OCD seem worse after pushing myself too much fitness wise, but the fitter I became my general mood and well-being was improved and it did actually help by using the riding within my therapy.

Did anyone else find that?

P.S. I still have Brighton Marathon places for April if anyone likes running that far!

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I got my second run in this week! Feeling good & hoping to get my bike out tomorrow for a couple of miles! :original:

I think a lot of people who exercise do find it helpful, a great natural refocus. Something I mentioned to someone the other day is does the amount of exercise help? I found when I was not fit, the cycling did make the OCD seem worse after pushing myself too much fitness wise, but the fitter I became my general mood and well-being was improved and it did actually help by using the riding within my therapy.

Did anyone else find that?

P.S. I still have Brighton Marathon places for April if anyone likes running that far!

I feel doing big exercise, ie 1hr 30mins down the boxing gym off putting at the moment & not a big help, but I ran a mile on Wednesday & again today & feel really good.

I think personally, putting to much pressure on yourself to 'exercise' can be stressful & negative, like the traditional New year/New Me thing most people do. Hit the gym a 100 mph, eat rabbit food, cut out exercise & give it up after a few weeks because it's to intense.

I feel you need to build up gradually & make it a lifestyle, even if you only run a mile, it's a mile more than you would have done if you'd just of stayed at home, & eating healthy doesn't mean you have to eat boring, I love a stir fry with loads of veg or a tuna sarnie, but I still treated myself to bacon & pancakes for breakfast today :p I just didn't eat massive amounts of them & balanced it out with a crayfish/salad sarnie for dinner & a healthy Jumbalaya for tea.

I think the old saying of 'everything in moderation' comes into effect, especially when it comes to starting exercising & most of all, enjoy it! :original:

Edited by Symps07
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Well I agree re the gym mine is currently hectic at weekends and still busy in the week but of course we can now go then and have lunch in the club bar afterwards.

I have to leave marathon running to the bright young things now.

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Any intense cardiovascular exercise, and also weight-bearing exercise apparently, is good for the brain. Interestingly, during and just after an exercise session, your learning capacity is increased, and in animal experiments this actually increases how easily new fears are learned. This suggests that if you ruminate while running, as I sometimes did, it could make it worse. But equally, exercising when you're learning something positive, like new ways to respond to triggers and spikes, might help. The increased learning capacity is one theory for how SSRIs work to reverse anxiety and depression, because SSRIs also increase levels of BDNF, and therefore the capacity to develop new, healthier psychological responses, weeks or months after treatment is initiated.

When I'm in a good mood at home, I find myself dancing to music. That can be made into a very energetic form of exercise, if you don't like running, sport or gym-type activities. And lots of fun, very mood-enhancing. :dance: :punk:

Edited by anatta
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