Take care and be kind to yourself

Being active

I’ve started climbing, even though I don’t like heights because I like to push myself and now I can do it in a safe environment with friends. I’m part of a club and meet new people or can climb on my own if I need to. I try not to be hard on myself if I fail and make sure I celebrate when I climb well.”
Thomas*
“Walking to the bus stop may be enough for some days. On others I walk to the one further away. It is enough, I am enough.
Alma*

Key points

Being depressed can make you feel tired and might put you off physical activity1,2
Physical activity can be associated with improved physical health and psychological well-being3
Physical activity can decrease the symptoms of depression3

Being depressed can leave you lacking in energy, which might put you off being physically active.1,2 But, it is really important to stay physically active if you’re feeling depressed. There is a large amount of scientific evidence that demonstrates physical activity can help to lift your mood.3,4

Physical activity has been associated with improved physical health, life satisfaction, mental functioning, and psychological well-being. It can also decrease the symptoms of depression.3

This section is related to the benefits of physical activity which may have an impact in people with depression.

Be mild and gentle and “go with the flow” – don’t be hard on yourself if things don’t go as planned
or you don’t reach your goals. When this happens, lower your goals and give yourself a second chance.
Start today with a first step, and remember that different things work for different people at different times.

Taking care of myself and helping myself was crucial.”

Helen*
“At a certain point in time, I realized that being depressed is only a condition. Just to accept it for what is and think “let it simply be and don’t worry, it is only a temporary condition ” helped me to survive.

Paul*

Do not change or stop your treatment without advice from a healthcare professional, such as your referring doctor.
If your symptoms worsen, please consult a healthcare professional, such as your referring doctor.

This document has been cocreated by GAMIAN-Europe and Servier.
* Quotes shared by the patients reflect their own experiences and do not necessarily reflect medical and scientific evidence or practice.

¹
NHS. Clinical depression. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/clinical-depression/. Accessed on: December 9, 2019.
²
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. 5 ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press 2013.
³
Mikkelsen K et al. Exercise and mental health. Maturitas. 2017;106:48-56.
⁴
Carek PJ, Laibstain SE, Carek SM. Exercise for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Int J Psychiatry Med. 2011;41(1):15-28.