How do you increase energy levels when depressed?

[nickynoo]

Hi all,

I am really struggling with this lack of energy I have all the time, I find walking around town for a couple of hours very tiring (not like sleepy tired, but tired where I need to lay down and rest).

I find this hard to deal with and worry about it alot, as I used to be so active before I this last bout of depression which started over a year ago (and also feel dizzy and fuzzy headed most of the time too). In the past I used to jog the mile to the train station for work in the mornings, as well as work, then walking home afterwards. Also used to go to the gym to do zumba and boxfit classes, never wanted to sit in the house and would feel guilty at doing nothing with my day, I used to do a full time job and attended part time studies at college with no problem.

Now all I do is go to college (which is 14 hours a week) and then rest up......I have no want to go out in the evenings, even going to the cinema is no no (even though I used to love going), I don't go to restaurants anymore as I get anxious and can't eat (even though I used to love going out and stuffing my face), I just feel like this boring, walrus wallowing in my muddy pit (which is messy as I cant get motivated to do anything about it).

I don't have a job either as I don't feel I could cope with that when I feel so lethargic. I was hoping that the lack of energy was linked to my low vitamin D/calcium levels, but have been on a prescribed supplement for this for the last 5 months and Dr says that I am still low....do you think this could be contributing to this at all?

Anyway I was just wondering what you all do to try to improve your energy levels? I hate feeling like this, feel so lazy and lethargic, I want to be energetic like I used to be.....I'm only 30

[Zaf]

Lack of energy and apathy is one of the most difficult things for me to deal with when I am depressed,  I just rest as much as my body tells me, thats all I can do

[Got]

Hi Nickynoo..

You have just described me. I once cycled to Spain, and now I struggle to do anything without getting worn out.

I have to rest alot, but I worry that if I rest to much I will be making things worse...so I try to get out. I go the the gym about three times a week. I try to see my freind sometimes, who is very kind to me, and she takes me out, but I become very tired and need to sit down. 

I went to my first meditation class on Monday. I nearly didn't go, but I am so glad I did because it was a nice way to get out, do something different and meet people, whilst doing something that was good for my mind.

I do beleive that a healty diet is very important and can make a huge difference, even to someone who doesnt have depression, but this is something I often struggle with because I keep loosing the motivation to eat.

I am trying to arm myself with the mental skills to go out more and live a more balanced healthy lifestyle, as I belive living a constantly stressful lifestyle, but physically and mentally, is what led me to the position I am in now.

[Zaf]

Going for a stroll somewhere nice cansometimes help a bit too

[cornish]

I have no want to go out in the evenings, even going to the cinema is no no (even though I used to love going), I don't go to restaurants anymore as I get anxious and can't eat (even though I used to love going out and stuffing my face), I just feel like this boring, walrus wallowing in my muddy pit (which is messy as I cant get motivated to do anything about it).

 I was hoping that the lack of energy was linked to my low vitamin D/calcium levels, but have been on a prescribed supplement for this for the last 5 months and Dr says that I am still low....do you think this could be contributing to this at all?

Anyway I was just wondering what you all do to try to improve your energy levels? I hate feeling like this, feel so lazy and lethargic, I want to be energetic like I used to be.....I'm only 30

the first part is what i used to enjoy but cant anymore

i barely eat anything anymore but what i do eat is extremely healthy well when im not soo paranoid and can only eat skittles 

try and eat foods that are very filling and slow energy releasing.  try seeds (i live on seeds and oat cakes) oats, grains, pulses, nuts, chick peas(i have a bit of humous with my oat cakes some times) and beans.  most of that type of foods will keep your energy levels more stable than sugars as they make your blood glucose to fluctuate.
add some fruits and green vegetables to that and you will have a lot more energy and also be fairly healthy getting all the stuff you need

most importantly you need to drink something like 8 glasses of water a day and try and avoid caffeine, but if your an addict like me try and limit it to one cup at lunchtime and then one late afternoon

[Jae]

It might be worth looking into taking some other types of vitamin/mineral supplements, nicky, as you will be able to get a much higher dosage/boost than from your diet.

One that could be beneficial to you is magnesium .. I've just started taking a fairly high dose of that every day for high(ish) blood pressure, which I want to try and control by diet and exercise (although the exercise isn't very forthcoming at the mo  ).  I did a bit of research and found that potassium and magnesium is vital for lowering blood pressure, and also that magnesium is supposed to be a great energy booster.  Have to say, I've not yet had any great surge in energy from taking them, but then again, I've only been doing it a couple of days.

Just really to say it might be something worth looking into

[emmietaylor]

My friends in the same boat at the moment she gets really exhausted quickly even from the simplest of tasks. She has chronic pain as well and also has depression but she is doesn't want her specialist to just blame depression as its not her major concern.  Plus it doesn't make a difference what she eats, drinks or exercises.

I am doing better energywise most days I can manage a part time job and some shopping and studying.

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