Hi friends~
In the past week or so I’ve been feeling kind of desperate to do all the summer things because the blues are sneaking in. Lightning bugs of July are gone. Hearing cicadas (did you know they’re called :Dog Day Cicadas??) buzzing in the evening is a sure sign sign that summer is starting to come to an end, not to mention “back to school” ads. These were the sweet, waning days that I wanted to hang on to when the kids were all around…visits to new playgrounds and beaches, kite flying, hikes…now I’m being targeted by the algorithm with things do do with grandkids – making giant bubbles is the latest.
Dreading 4:30pm darkness…SAD “seasonal affect disorder” is real. Fingers crossed, but daylight saving time isn’t going away yet. The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act to make it permanent, but the bill still needs to pass the Senate and be signed by the president to become law.
If you’re in a general low spot, seasonal or otherwise – it is normal that hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause can trigger low mood. I’m far on the other side of menopause, but hot flashes with night sweats made me foggy and irritable for years in my 40s, until my progressive gyno prescribed MHT when I hit 50. I’ve also been mostly consistent with exercise since then.
So what about exercise for the blues?
I’ve written about how exercise has been proven to lower all-cause mortality, prevent chronic disease, sharpen mental acuity, and reduce depression. Due to a lack of head-to-head studies comparing anti-depressant medication directly to exercise, the jury is still out as to which works better. Exercise is an accessible option, and it works, although the links between depression, anxiety and exercise aren’t entirely clear. Mayo Clinic: Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms
The type of exercise, time for play, other activities, and rest is key.
Allow grace, time off for planned or unplanned life disruptions and obligations, so you can have a healthy balance of exercise and real life. And “balancing” doesn’t mean perfect. I don’t love exercising, contrary to what some people might think ;), but I do love the sense of well-being after any type of sustained movement, which can last all day or longer. Sometimes exercise is intense, sometimes it isn’t. It can be a great 20 minute lifting session, a brisk walk, a long bike ride, challenging rowing intervals, digging and lugging things in the garden, or a yoga flow. Yesterday it was hours and hours cleaning the garage – lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching, hauling, and I loved it afterward, with the reward of jumping into the ocean just before it got dark!
Bottom line is, what kind of movement makes you feel good (while you’re doing it, or afterward)?
You’ll never regret doing something. You can be pretty sure you might regret doing nothing.
Don’t wait. Imagine if you were told you had to sit on a waiting list just to get helpful medication.
Exercise can make a difference right now, and it can be free – at home, or outdoors. Join a gym and hire a trainer if you’re feeling serious about it. You know I’m here for you.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
X
Polli
