Exercise and Depression: If You Tell Me It’s “Just as Good as an Antidepressant” One More Time…

How many times have I heard people—especially the ones not in the trenches—say, “Exercise is just as good as an antidepressant”?

Clearly, they've never been depressed. When simply getting out of bed feels as daunting as a marathon, I can confidently say that actually running a marathon wouldn’t have done shit to save me from depression.

That said, I do believe exercise has its place. Not as a cure—never as a cure—but as a tool in the fight.

For me, running has always been my go-to. It doesn’t lift me out of depression, but it cuts through the static for a minute, giving me a brief break from the relentless torture of my mind. There’s something about pounding pavement, pushing through the physical pain, and zoning out to a playlist that hits just right—something about all of that gives me a moment of peace. A small release valve when everything feels too tight.

Does my depression disappear after a run?

Absolutely not. But even if the relief is fleeting, it’s still relief. And sometimes, afterward, that small sense of accomplishment gives me the tiniest boost in mood—at least for that day. A small victory against the relentless emotional gut-punches depression insists on throwing.