General Cycling Discussion - How to cope with emotions?

I've been feeling slighty down lately, specifically relationship problems with a girl. Won't talk anymore about that though.

I find it very difficult to gather myself together and exercise. Should I really stay at home and recover from these emotions? I really don't feel like exercising at all, at least not by this week.
Guys, help?

Originally posted by oxologic
I've been feeling slighty down lately, specifically relationship problems with a girl. Won't talk anymore about that though.

I find it very difficult to gather myself together and exercise. Should I really stay at home and recover from these emotions? I really don't feel like exercising at all, at least not by this week.
Guys, help?

Personally, I have found exercise to always be the very BEST way to rebound from emotional crises, and staying at home to "recover" the very best way to continue in the doldrums.

The exercise will get your endorphins up, and you will notice it immediately.

And, believe me, I know of where I speak. During one of my lowest points (facing near bankruptcy, son in hospital with broken neck and totally paralyzed, unable to work, etc., etc.) I remember doing a 5 mile walk and I also remember using the walk to help sort through the problems. Somehow, at the end of that walk, I knew I would be able to get through it all - and, yes, I did.

Find the thing you enjoy the most (a ride in a beautiful nature area, for example) and get out there. Even a brisk two mile walk will do wonders.

And, really, it will also do you good to talk about the situation rather than not.

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND EXERCISE.

If you force yourself to exercise, when you have problems you will find that you feel better later. Think of the workout as 'sweating the bad feelings out of your body'. The workout will also clear your head.

Lots of people are down this time of year.Theres lots of pressure to be happy for the holidays and it has a opposite affect.Let yourself have some down time.Making yourself do anything won't help.Try finding something new to do.It doesn't have to be much,just something to get your mind off the everyday grind.

as for your GF, man let it go....

Originally posted by hillyman
Lots of people are down this time of year.Theres lots of pressure to be happy for the holidays and it has a opposite affect.Let yourself have some down time.Making yourself do anything won't help.Try finding something new to do.It doesn't have to be much,just something to get your mind off the everyday grind.

I never thought of the holiday season as being "pressure" to be happy, but now that I you mention it, it does exist. It's funny how that works. I thought I was going to be miserable this year (first Christmas away from the fiancee), but it really wasn't bad at all. (I realized I have a lot to happy about.)

oxologic,
I agree w/everyone else. Get out of the house. Maybe instead of exercising per se, you could walk/ride to the movies, museum, or where ever your favorite spot is.

Luckily, if your chosen exercise is cycling, it is pretty easy to trick yourself into it. If you normally push pretty hard, convince yourself to just go out for a few very easy miles, maybe explore in a different direction. Make it something fun/interesting to attract you AND distract you. Forget whatever is on your training program an just go for a ride. You may get into it and feel like going harder or maybe you won't. Even if you don't, you will have gone for a ride, probably feel better, and maybe think some things through. That is often easier on an easy ride.

Go out and find the hardest, longest, steepest hill in your area and hammer it. I was feeling down about something for a while earlier this year. The first chance I got I headed for Springbrook (a 1,000m+ climb) and absolutely slaughtered it. The more I climbed, the better I felt. The basic primative act of climbing really helps to put things into perspective and clear the mind (something that's essential when it comes to solving whatever problem that's bothering you).

Personally I have felt a lot better by going out cycling at times like these I come home and I feel a lot better!!!! Cycling seems it take all the anger away because you are so focused on where u are going u don't really think about much else!! from personal experience no one is worth crying over :D get out there and ride!!!! :p Ride the hardest ride u ever did do!!

Originally posted by DnvrFox


Personally, I have found exercise to always be the very BEST way to rebound from emotional crises, and staying at home to "recover" the very best way to continue in the doldrums.

The exercise will get your endorphins up, and you will notice it immediately.

And, believe me, I know of where I speak. During one of my lowest points (facing near bankruptcy, son in hospital with broken neck and totally paralyzed, unable to work, etc., etc.) I remember doing a 5 mile walk and I also remember using the walk to help sort through the problems. Somehow, at the end of that walk, I knew I would be able to get through it all - and, yes, I did.

Find the thing you enjoy the most (a ride in a beautiful nature area, for example) and get out there. Even a brisk two mile walk will do wonders.

And, really, it will also do you good to talk about the situation rather than not.

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND EXERCISE.

I 150% agree with this. Exercise has always defeated and deep depression on my part. Especially now with no cycling it helps to hit the weights :)

:) Oxologic,This link will help it's about how to reduce stress with Exercise.Hope you feel better.http://www.psychwww.com/mtsite/smexerc.html

Okay, Oxologic - don't keep us in suspense one more minute. What did you do?

Exercise is the best anti depressant there has ever been. Get out and ride, run, climb or anything else!!!

That is an order pal!

Sam

Originally posted by Giant_racer
Cycling seems it take all the anger away because you are so focused on where u are going u don't really think about much else!!

Hmmm.... I actually find that it clears my mind and helps me think. Mind you, I don't regard this as a bad thing because helps me come up with ways to change the things I can, and allows me to accept the things that I can't change (by reminding me that life goes on).

I suggest going out to run an errand on your bike. Doesn't matter what it is. Go to to P.O. to buy stamps, or to the video store, or whatever. Ride there, and then give yourself permission to take a detour home.

Get out. Get on your bike. You'll feel better. I guarantee it.

(PS: Note to self: Follow your own advice!)

please... go out... get out of the house.. do something.. anything.. if you can't motivate to cycle.. then run.. if you can't run.. then walk... if you can't walk..... well just.....crawl!!
ppl are telling you from personal experiences, and i am sure there are many horror stories among us..but it does work... maybe you won't notice it at first... but taking your mind and wrapping it around a vision of snow, trees.....ppl living.. then you will let your worries about yourself go..
then maybe you will have a clearer picture of where to go next.
baby steps...

please take them.

Thanx, Gojohnnygo, for that cool website (repeated here)
http://www.psychwww.com/mtsite/smexerc.html
I bookmarked that site after seeing it's got some good stuff.

Oxologic, I can't speak for anyone else here, but I'll bet everyone who spoke up on this thread and urged you to put yourself out there, is speaking from experience (as I am). It's because we feel something in common with your experience, that we offer our advice and our hopes for your well-being.

Years ago, a very mean spirited ex-GF made fun of me for exercising so much, implying it was an escape from our relationship problems. She had it so wrong. Vigorous exercise keeps your mind, body, and spirit healthy so you can face your problems, not run away from them.

And the mocking, nonexercising ex-GF? We worked in the same organization. Several months later I got a promotion and she got the boot... with cheers from our co-workers.

Its easy to lose sight of happiness when you're down in the dumps over a significant other.

My best advice is to search for happiness outside of your relationship. Perhaps you have already found it.

Exercise will definitely help, especially when the endorphins kick in and you get that natural high. Whenever I hit that point in a workout, I feel on top of the world.

There's much more to life. Hang in there bud.

I side with the go out and ride crowd. I commute but when I am stressed and need to let go I ride somewhere just for the heck of it increases the blood flow to your head helps you think straighter and it releases stress. But more important to your mental health, when I ride and I am done I have a sense of acomplishement I feel good about myself because I went out and did it I didn't sit around and mope So go out and ride somewhere you've never rode to. Take Chris's advice find the steepest hill you can and beat it! or ride farther than you ever have give yourself that little boost of confidence it will make you feel so much better.

oxologic I feel just like u do right now
:( I am just putting the new bike lights that I have on my bike then I am going to force myself to ride to the horses!! :D

Thanks guys, I was running today instead of cycling for like 20 mins. I still have those problems in my mind and can't get it aside. I don't think I can get things straight as yet till I talk to her.

Anyway, this is it. She's not my girlfriend as you guys think it is. I bought a Christmas present for her and she supposedly bought something for me as well. We were supposed to exchange presents but it really hurts me when she says she can't make it because of her netball training. I do not know what she is trying to do at all, whether she likes me or not.

thank god for endorphins :D as for the gal and her netball training if something is going to happen it will!!! ;)

Due to temporary shift schedule, I am having my mileage cut in half.. I am not coping too well- you get hooked on the endo rush or something.. Christmas let down and bummed out wife due to family losses.. We have to build up to Christmas and maybe sometimes we should not.. Can't be too supportive of her if work related pressures have me bumbed out and not working off stress' on my biking obsession..
We had real disagreement last night, because she expects me to put my trainer out in the cold garage.. So I only had one bike day all week.. So I have about 6 days stored up stress within my head.. Think the triainer might have helped.. And she does not like me to go out at night..Thinks it unsafe.

dude, know how you feel. im starting to get back my grades from last semster and i have done bad in areas where i thought i exceled in.

at the same i dont think i have accomplished anything in my life and im wonderng where i will be goign when i get out of school.

Go ride.If u r going to feel like sh%t,might as well feellike it on your bike.Good place to think to.

The times when I don't feel like riding are usually the times I need to ride the most. I have to really force myself up to mile three and then I forget. When I return after 20 miles I realize I've built mountains out of mole hills and I'm much better able to see my way through these transient little things. As far as the girl with the netball thing (whatever that is) throw her back and go meet some girl at your local cycling hot-spot.

I'm not sure if I can just throw her back like this. I do like her a lot. Anyway, there won't be any girl that I would like in my local cycling scene. The scene over here is so small that there would be too few girls to choose from.

Anyway, it really isn't as easy as you all say. Getting out to even try to do something was very difficult. Guess my volume of exercise will be greatly decreased for this week and for some time still.

Are you guys sure I really should go out and do something?

Well I could give you one of those "Once upon a time stories..." but I won't. Getting out on your bike though would probably help to clear your mind. It sure helps me when I've got stuff on my mind. The general consensus here aeems to be to go out for a spin...give it a try. You may surprise yourself.

Oxi- Just another of those, once upon a time stories.. For me, after the big "D"- my life was complicated by other hassles; but the primary break up of a marriage- my life could have been going down in flames. Took me about a month to stop TOTALLY feeling sorry for myself- and START doing something constructive. Exercise stopped me from going in a downward spiral.
I was in Singapore last July... Seemed I saw traces of good cycling across the channel over in Malyasia.. Far less urban. No clubs exists- going over to better cycling roads..
I am a big fan of the concept- look for significant others, doing what you like to do.. Then for starters, you have something very much in common..

Go ride, by all means. Heck, do anything. Went thru a divorce 5/6 years ago, and didn't come out of my funk unless I was kayaking or riding... and then I felt fine for days.
I feel great right now, but I think I'll pull out the beater bike and go for a ride right now, come to think of it...

Due to temporary shift schedule, I am having my mileage cut in half.. I am not coping too well- you get hooked on the endo rush or something.. (Sure am hooked lol!) nothing better than doing 38+ mph downhill!!!

As for the problems it could be worse as long as you have ur health and u can ride ur bike!!! and the worry about cycling at night it is a big risk I do it myself on occassion but I can't tell my parents where I go otherwise they would moan thing is if I was knocked out sum where in a cold dark lane no one would know!!

I don't think all drivers would stop if they hit you so I guess ur lady is just looking out for u there!!! :D

Today, I was going to only ride about 40 miles to Solana Beach and do an errand and take the train back and maybe get in 60 miles.. Well, the ocean was blue, the sun was out, temps in 60's.. Could not stop myself. Did all 78 miles at 14.5 mph.. Felt great. I was hassled about work crap, wife's problems, and general after holidays blues.
Now the world seems great. Will try to get in about 25 before church tomorrow AM.. All the crap that collects in the head as anger seems distant, for awhile at least..
ps--- 25 miles tomorrow will get me over 8,800 miles for 2002- best mileage yet- ever..

Does cycling make you hyper active?? I find it purely addictive!! I can't get up early enough in the morning these days!! :p

There might not be alot of females in the cycling sceen near you but perhaps you might meet one that is willing to give it a try. You never know, she might even begin to spank you (no pun intended) on your rides.

Definitly get out and do some thing. Does not have to be cycling but sitting around and feeling sorry for your self is a wast of time and life. There are all ways going to be obstacals in life that you will need to get over. If you can't get over it or through it then just walk around it. It might take some time and effort but you can get by it.

Slainte :beer:

Well, you guys have got some experience there. I guess I too have to learn from my own situation. There's lots more to learn from life even when I'm 16 I guess.

Okay then, since you guys really do want me to get out, then I shall. I guess it'll be another run at night because I used to cycle in the afternoon but it's always raining.

Another hour of running tonight then! It's settled.

Good for you, oxologic!

:beer:

And remember, someone in Trollsville wishes you well!

:love:

Sometimes, when I'm down in the dumps, I really don't feel like riding. But I force myself to do so. Ten minutes into the ride, my spirits pick up and I'm glad I made the effort! Let your spirit rule your mind, 'cause your mind is nothing but a computer that often lies to you.

Right now, over the holidays, I am not feeling too good emotionally. My somewhat spoiled 18 year old daughter is home from college, and she and my wife are consorting to drive me NUTS! They are spending my money like water, and my VISA card is smoking! I have to share a small bathroom with my daughter, and there's so much stuff all over I can hardly get in the door ($50,000 worth of make up). So I escape on my bike for an hour or two each day, and I come back in a really good mood which lasts me the rest of the day. I'm convinced my bike is a spiritual gift from God!