Hello all,

I've been slowly de-prescribing off lexapro using the liquid. Dropping approximately .2 mg a month. Swimming has been the key to maintaining my mental health over the summer months. I've built up from 500m freestyle in a session to 1.5km 3-4 times a week. Swimming suits me because it is glorious in the water and it's hard to ruminate when your trying to remember to breath correctly.

As the weather has turned cooler I have been struggling to transition to another form of exercise I enjoy that is high intensity. I've joined a gym and am looking for some advice from others on what exercises work for them to improve mental health.

Looking forward to hearing how others are exercising.

Thank you!

Edited June 14Jun 14 by Being the tortoise

This forum is primarily focused on psychiatric drug harms, and how to mitigate them as safely/best as possible. We don't have special insights into specific exercises that promote mental health. Many here are too ill to exercise in general.

That said, you may wish to consider things like a daily walk to get you your fresh air and Vitamin D, especially if you can get somewhere in nature, that does tend to be beneficial for mental wellbeing.

 

Thanks Luke. I'm keen to hear what other people manage for exercise, it's been the only thing so far that has improved my mood since starting to lower my medication dose.

Hey @Being the tortoise, welcome! Sounds like your taper is going pretty well if you’re able to keep up that intensity of exercise, so congrats. Obviously exercise preferences are super individual, and as Luke said there are many folks on here who aren’t able to exercise due to withdrawal symptoms.

I’m one of the luckier ones in that I’ve stayed physically healthy enough to exercise. My main form of exercise is rock climbing, which you can do indoors in a gym in the winter (assuming there are climbing gyms where you are…?). I find climbing is particularly good for anxiety, because it forces you to stay mentally engaged in what you’re doing so your mind can’t wander.

Hope that’s helpful!

Merged threads :)

On 6/14/2026 at 12:18 PM, Being the tortoise said:

Hello all,

I've been slowly de-prescribing off lexapro using the liquid. Dropping approximately .2 mg a month. Swimming has been the key to maintaining my mental health over the summer months. I've built up from 500m freestyle in a session to 1.5km 3-4 times a week. Swimming suits me because it is glorious in the water and it's hard to ruminate when your trying to remember to breath correctly.

As the weather has turned cooler I have been struggling to transition to another form of exercise I enjoy that is high intensity. I've joined a gym and am looking for some advice from others on what exercises work for them to improve mental health.

Looking forward to hearing how others are exercising.

Thank you!

@SarahMc Thank you for your post. I really like hearing how other people are managing their symptoms. I hadn't considered climbing as a highly focused activity. It makes sense though. I will keep this in mind as some outdoor parks in my area have (small) bouldering areas. I will give it a go.

I have joined an indoor gym this week and have started the NHS Couch to 5K running plan. It is providing me some mental relief, which I am very grateful for!

@Chippy Thanks for merging the threads. Do we just add conversations to our original introduction thread?

My taper is very slow and I do a lot of self management. Aside from the exercise I have dedicated my non work time to activities that calm and sooth me, I do a lot of hand sewing, knitting and cuddling the dog. I read regularly and try to stay away from emotional snags online as my nervous system can not cope. I'm very consciously talking to myself better, I I really want to come out of this experience with the skills to combat any future depressive episodes.

I often think about Mark Horowitz's comment that he use to run until his feet bled just to relieve the symptoms.

27 minutes ago, Being the tortoise said:

I often think about Mark Horowitz's comment that he use to run until his feet bled just to relieve the symptoms.

I hadn’t heard this before, but I very much identify with it! Thanks for sharing.

19 hours ago, Being the tortoise said:

Thanks for merging the threads. Do we just add conversations to our original introduction thread?

No problems, yes basically just keep posting here :)

19 hours ago, Being the tortoise said:

My taper is very slow and I do a lot of self management. Aside from the exercise I have dedicated my non work time to activities that calm and sooth me, I do a lot of hand sewing, knitting and cuddling the dog. I read regularly and try to stay away from emotional snags online as my nervous system can not cope. I'm very consciously talking to myself better, I I really want to come out of this experience with the skills to combat any future depressive episodes.

I think slow is good! We say the new fast! Better to be tapering and stable.

I do think we will all have super powers at the end of this!

Thanks @Chippy

I think going slowly is much easier with the medical professionals leaning into our self reported symptoms.

It appears that there is some social recognition of how hard it is to deprescribe. I really think that is helping me not feel alone.

21 hours ago, Being the tortoise said:

Thanks @Chippy

I think going slowly is much easier with the medical professionals leaning into our self reported symptoms.

It appears that there is some social recognition of how hard it is to deprescribe. I really think that is helping me not feel alone.

I agree.

Slowly the dial is moving on this, it does help for some recognition of WD being main stream, yet some doctors and friends and family seen unable to understand all the same, so more is needed, but yes the tyde is turning slowly. It is why we started the forum, so we can share experiences, support and advocate for each other.