Melavi:

I agree, exercise can be adjunct treatment for more complex problems that cause depression.

Exercise alone, does not repair a less than desirable relationship with loved ones. Therapy does and empathetic listeners who offer useful thoughts and listening ear. Exercise however, helps give personal overall physical strength and energy ...to live, get up and get out of bed to be with others.

I would consider exercise as one of the important ways to set myself free. Other ways that set me free is just not also good close face to face friends, is turning to 1-2 other non-exercise activities.

It could be writing, art, music/playing an instrument/singing, cooking, etc. Something that nourishes spiritually/ the Muse/creativity, etc. So for now I blog, about the best that I have seen, experienced so far. Now, in addition to cycling, is my personal drive to blog-highlight some good stuff for loved ones and whomever else maybe interested.


Then there's other stuff that's an occasional reminder to me, how precious life and good health can be:

About 5 months ago, a long-time, local cycling advocate crashed when he was paragliding. (which he did for last few yrs.) He is now a quadriplegic, bound to a wheelchair, for life. He's 58 yrs. old. The cycling community was shocked and individually sent forth their wishes to him.

He cried when he received the tributes....because he had no idea how much he touched /reached out to the cycling community.