[lcw]

As someone who has consistently worked out 3 to 4 time a week for many years I believe and of course have heard many people speak to all the positive effects of exercise. I think what's interesting after doing it for so long and it being a normal part of my life that it doesn't really have the same benefits it once did.

I think there is something to doing unique things and it taking you out of your comfort zone. For instance in this case I could see hot yoga being vastly different than my typical workouts and that having a positive impact on my moods more so than my typical workout. I think it might be something that would be interesting to study, because while having better cardio and the endorphins that are generated from a good workout do make you feel better I have to imagine just as important for better moods is the fact that you are improving yourself in a way that takes you out of what might be a routine that you associate with depression or negative moods, which I think we all cycle through at points in our lives. Shaking things up seems to be important I guess is what I'm saying.

[waihtis]

well, try not working out for 4 weeks and see how much worse you'll feel. you just have good baseline satisfactory-ness levels by now

[mirekrusin]

From my experience effects are longer lasting than 4 weeks, you'd have to stop for 1 to 3 years, you'd still be at better baseline if you haven't done it at all but you'll be able to notice it at mental level. Of course smoking, not moving at all covid style, drinking, overeating and trashing your sleeping pattern will all help with depression if you want to achieve it faster.

[waihtis]

no way thats true, especially for strength training. it takes about 2 weeks of not training to feel like a packet of jelly. at least if you're like me and sit on the computer most of the day

[lm28469]

Same here, a week of at most, after that I feel useless, and the longer you wait the harder it gets to get back into hit.

The best is to keep the momentum, making it part of your routine removes the willpower from the equation

[waihtis]

100%. Strength training is one of those things I've come to think of as body maintenance more than actually an athletic performance thing. Believe it to be equally if not more important than cardio

[camhart]

I found playing team sports competitively does more for me mentally than solo exercise. I realized this while in uni/college, playing intramural sports which were competitive but we weren't stupid competitive. I always felt great afterwards, even when we lost. I didn't get the same effect from jogging/lifting on my own.

[derelicta]

Probably also thanks to the social interactions with your teammates. You socialise more, chat more, laugh more and all that makes our ape brain happier ig

[camhart]

I lived with half of my teammates at the time, so I don't think it's as simple as saying it's due to the social interaction. When it's competitive the entire focus is on winning. Sure you have some chuckles in the down time, but there's also plenty of irritation/frustration mixed in. We gave it our all and let each other know when we screwed up and our opinions on how we needed to fix it.