Exercise Is an All-Natural Treatment to Fight Depression

 Depression and anxiety disorders are plaguing our youth and adults which is a serious concern to the society and its stability. In the US alone, one in every ten adults suffer from some kind of depression. There are many treatments for depression like medication, magnetic therapies, light therapy and psychotherapy. But research and trials prove that exercise is also a great way to combat depression and evade the effects of it. When exercise is merged together with medication and natural supplements for anxiety the overall treatment becomes very effective. Although when depression and anxiety get the best of you, exercise is the last thing you might want to do, in fact the mere thought of getting up from the bed takes a lot of courage and will power.

There isn’t a speck of doubt about the numerous benefits of staying physically fit and active. Exercise or any physical activity that draws your heart rate up results in various health benefits. It helps regulate your blood sugar levels and blood pressure, the heart stays active, sweating from the exercise detoxes your body, it also relaxes your brain and helps you have a peaceful, unperturbed sleep. People who remain physically active tend to have more excitement and enthusiasm then people who aren’t that proactive. Exercise is a natural anxiety medication that helps you stay motivated, pumped and gives you a solid reason to get up from the misery and do something good and challenging.

The Connection Between Exercise and Depression

Although the link between depression and exercise isn’t clear enough, it surely does ease out the symptoms of depression and anxiety. When a person exercises it triggers a biological cascade of events that have various health benefits like improved sleep and prevents diabetes, blood pressure and heart disease. A high-intensity workout helps the brain to release endorphins, the feel-good chemicals which enhance the feeling of well-being, happiness and prosperity. But the real and long-term benefits lie in the low-intensity, daily workout regime. When you build up a habit of working out then your brain releases proteins called neurotrophic that helps the growth of the nerve cells and build up new connections in the brain. Regular exercise fortifies the growth of nerve cells which in turn relieve depression and anxiety.

When a person is working out, his/her mind is freed from the negative and disturbing thoughts and is put to good work. The main food of depression is negative emotions and thoughts, by exercising you starve depression of it and it starts to weaken. Workout has many emotional and psychological benefits as well, which can help you in your fight against depression. When you meet your set goals and targets, it boosts your confidence and encourages you to set higher goals. The sheer joy of accomplishment helps the mind and body in a very positive way. Exercising also makes you feel better about your appearance that too increases your confidence and releases feel-good chemicals. Combining exercising with natural supplements for anxiety like omega-3, vitamin D3 and Magnesium will help you put up a strong fight against depression.

How to Motivate Yourself for Doing Exercise

Depression and anxiety not only make your brain functions go haywire but it also manifests physically. Irregular sleep patterns, constant lethargy, erratic appetite, body pains and increased vulnerability towards pain makes your body demotivated and demoralized. In order to get yourself started for any kind of physical activity keep in mind that you must choose something that you enjoy. Getting up from the bed will be a daily challenge to overcome which can only be done if the activity brings joy to you, so don’t choose activities which you don’t enjoy.

Another great way to motivate yourself for exercising is by setting achievable goals and realistic targets. Don’t set a target to walk 2 miles a day. It won't be motivating you to get out of bed, rather give yourself a pat for getting out of bed and doing a workout even if it is for 10 mins. Also don’t think of workout like a chore, in fact treat it like a natural anxiety medication or a therapy session.

For making exercise a part of your life, think about all the things that act as a barrier and try to eliminate them. If you feel physically conscious and don’t want to join a gym then workout at home. If you don’t want to workout alone, ask your partner, sibling or a friend to accompany you. If you don’t have enough money to go to the gym or buy gym gear them do the good old running and walking. Remember, there will be obstacles and setbacks in your journey the key is to overcome them and not give up on your health.

Takeaway

There isn’t any definite time or rate of recovery with exercise but no matter how baby steps you take or how intense you work out; it will surely pay off one day and you’ll be free from any kind of depression. The key here is to stay consistent and motivated.

 

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