EXERCISE AND DEPRESSION
By: Christy Belsom, AFAA/IFA Certified Personal Trainer
After a long stressful day or during the state of depression some people may hit the bottle while others hit the gym. Hitting the bottle creates more problems with depression as well as other health factors. Hitting the gym helps reduce the symptoms of depression and has several other health benefits including weight loss, reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart problems as well as improve your sex life.
Studies show that exercise works similar to antidepressants neurologically as it releases chemicals called endorphins – the feel good hormones. Serotonin is a brain chemical responsible for several functions including mood, appetite and sleeping. Some researchers have discovered that regular exercise actually changes serotonin levels in the brain thereby improving mood and sleep patterns. Studies have also shown that exercise increases body temperature which may create a calming effect.
One research compared exercise and drug therapy in treating depression. Out of 156 people, including both men and women, one group took antidepressants, the second group was put on an aerobic exercise program and the third group exercised and took medication. The study reviled that 68.8% of the participants that used both medication and exercise were no longer considered clinically depresses, 60.4% of the participants exercising only were no longer classified as clinically depressed after treatment and 65.5% of the participants taking medication only were no longer classified as clinically depressed after treatment. The study continued following the same participants for another 6 months. This study concluded that patients who continued their exercise regimens were less likely to relapse and see their depression return than the other groups. Over time, exercise alone was extremely effective at keeping depression at bay.
Aside from brain chemical functions, exercise has other psychological benefits including increased confidence, distracting negative thoughts and boosts socialization.
Keep on hitting that iron temple, running the great outdoors or going to that Yoga class to manage stress and depression.
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REFERENCES
MayoClinic.com: Depression and Anxiety -- Exercise Eases Symptoms @ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-exercise/MH00043
Laura Blue (2010). Time: Is Exercise the Best Drug for Depression? http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1998021,00.html
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/332385-how-does-exercise-help-stress-depression/#ixzz1qWqEjw9D
Study: Exercise Has Long-Lasting Effect on Depression (2000) http://today.duke.edu/2000/09/exercise922.html
