Exercise Benefits for Overcoming Depression
Actually, if you could put those exercise benefits into a pill, it would be a billion-dollar drug!
And, if you’re feeling lazy, you can even achieve the three extraordinary exercise benefits listed below simply by taking a regular daily walk:
- Prevent disease,
- Improve your health,
- And feel better than ever.
- Raised self-esteem,
- Build your confidence,
- Help you to sleep better,
- Improve your overall mood,
- Give you much more energy,
- Relieve anxiety or depression,
- And improve your mental health.
Want some proof?
Benefits of Exercise and Mental Health
Duke University Researchers studied a group of clinically depressed men and women for four months. Of those who exercised, 60% were able to overcome depression without any antidepressant drugs.
And even though patients who used drugs had over 55% recovery, they had to deal with all the depressing side effects of antidepressants.
Other studies on exercise and mental health have shown that people who exercise are much less likely to have recurring bouts of depression than those patients who take antidepressant medications.
This is why the Mental Health Foundation recommends all patients with depression be offered an exercise prescription instead of drugs. Exercise is a much safer, more pleasant and less expensive solution.
The great thing about all of this is you don’t have to be clinically depressed to experience the feelings of well being associated with exercise.
Exercise and Sleep, Anxiety and Well Being
Any physical activity causes the body to release endorphins. And these natural painkillers can create feelings of happiness that last for hours.
Endorphins help exercisers deal with all the big and little frustrations that make most people feel angry, sad or anxious on a daily basis. This allows them to better cope with the ups and downs of everyday life.
And you don’t have to be a fanatic about exercise to reap the rewards.
Simply walking briskly for a half-hour a day can cut your risk of death by all causes by 50%. It also helps you stay alert, manage stress, sleep better, relieve anxiety, overcome depression and take on life's challenges.
In fact, it’s better not to be an exercise junkie. Excessive exercising can undermine all the benefits for both physical and mental health.
Benefits of Exercise and Your Social Life
For exercise that helps you sleep better, manage stress, relieve anxiety, overcome depression or just feel better than ever, start simple.
You can put on a comfortable pair of shoes, go for a pleasant walk and just enjoy the scenery. And if you feel social, invite a friend to join you.
Studies show an active social life lifts your spirits and lowers heart disease risk. So you might say, not only is exercise with a friend good for your physical and mental health, it's also good for your heart and soul.
More Commonsense Health For You:
How to Get a Good Nights Sleep
How to Balance Hormones Naturally
Top 10 Healthiest Foods for Eating Healthy
How to Overcome Depression & Anxiety Naturally
References
Babyak M, Blumenthal JA, Herman S, et al. Psychosomatic Medicine, Journal of Behavioral Medicine. Exercise treatment for major depression: maintenance of therapeutic benefit. Psychosom Med. 2000;62(5):633-638.
Marlene P. Freeman, MD: Nutrition and Psychiatry. American Journal of Psychiatry. Association of Western and traditional diets with depression and anxiety in women. Am J Psychiatry 2010;167:244-247
Luppino FS, de Wit LM, Bouvy PF, Stijnen T, Cuijpers P, Penninx BW, Zitman FG. Archives of General Psychiatry. Overweight, Obesity and Depression: A Systematic and Meta-analysis of Longitudinal Studies. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2010;67(3):220-229
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Posted in: Healthy Living
By Moss Greene Google+
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