Last week I realized it was time to lighten the mood a little. Things had gotten a little dark with my bout with depression and since I was feeling better, I was able to natter on about the good stuff.
One of my main themes has been the beneficial side effects to regular, vigorous exercise. When I set out to correct my posture, I embarked on a multi year journey of tough, often painful exercise, primarily yoga. As time went by, the exercises got easier and along with improved posture, I noticed:
- Less back pain
- Fewer headaches
- My migraines were almost eliminated
- More energy
- Better sleep
- Better diet
- Lowered stress
- Better relationships
- Improved work
In short, all aspects of my life got better.
Well, this bout with depression has given me a real time lesson in the reverse effects. For the best part of three week I was barely functional;
- Snappish with the kids
- Sleeping poorly
- Eating poorly
- No energy
- Multiple headaches
- My posture got bad again
- Less efficient at work
I even lost 8 lbs. I haven’t weighed this little in years, and those 8 lbs were my body reserves.
I don’t know 100% for sure it’s connected, but when I was younger and thinner, I had serious nosebleed problems. I haven’t had one, at least not a serious one, in years. It’s been so long, I don’t really remember the last time I had a bad nosebleed.
Until Tuesday night.
After I went to bed, as I was dozing off, I rubbed my itchy nose. And felt a little trickle begin. A little trickle that turned into a steady stream. A steady stream, which took 15 minutes to stop. Which was repeated on Wednesday.
I don’t know what the relationship between platelet production, stress, nutrition, weight loss, etc. is, but I know this, when I lost my ability to work out hard every day, a whole lot of stuff in my life, stuff I take for granted to be good, began falling apart.
So exercise.
Exercise hard, and exercise regularly. Your whole life will be better for it, and worse for not doing it.
