Exercise can help Overcome Depression
The Benefits of exercise in overcoming depression
There is not enough that can be said about the benefit of exercise in our daily life. Recent studies have shown that exercise can improve mood and mild to moderate depression.
Exercise benefits the treatment of depression in several ways. It boosts self-confidence and self-esteem by giving you that wonderful feeling of accomplishment and increasing your endurance and stamina. As your muscles become more tone and your body firmer you begin to feel good about the way you look, the way your clothes fit. Exercising also causes the body to release endorphins which are mood elevating and pain relieving compounds, while also reducing the levels of cortisol in your bloodstream which is a hormone that can lead to stress and depression.
In a study conducted by a Duke research team, led by Psychologist James Blumenthal a group of 156 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder were broken down into three groups. One group used only exercise, another medication and the final group used both exercise and medication. The results after 16 weeks showed that all three groups showed major and significant improvement in measurements of depression.
There have been many studies done that show positive results from exercising and the decrease in depression. You can benefit from any type of exercise, from mild exercise like a walk around the block to the more rigorous run around the block. Of course better results are shown when one does a little longer more rigorous form of exercise that really gets the heart pumping and makes your muscles work. One study showed an improvement rate equal to antidepressant medication and cognitive therapy with participants doing rigorous exercise for 30 minutes a day improving by 47%.
Be sure to check with your Doctor to ensure that you are physically healthy enough to begin an exercise program. For those that have suffered long term depression one the effects of the disease is the fact that you lose interest in physical activity. It is always best to be safe when beginning an exercise program.
Remember to start out slow. Don't expect to much from yourself at first.
Getting motivated to exercise can be difficult when you are suffering from depression. The good news is that Hypnosis, Guided Imagery can help you find the motivation you need. By using symbolic language patterns and positive affirmations and delivering the messages to the subconscious, change begins without any difficulties at all. You will find yourself looking forward to exercise, the way your muscles feel when they are working and your overall well being after your exercise session is completed. Exercise becomes something that is fun to do, and that "oh, no" feeling is replaced with "wow, I feel great!".
To get even better results from adding exercise to your toolbox to defeat depression, you might consider joining a health club, or fitness group. The added social aspects of joining one of these groups can benefit you even more. It does not have to be an athletic club, it could be dance, or bowling, or anything that appeals to you.
Another great way to get the whole family involved is with the Nintendo Wii and the exercise and fitness program for that system. Its a great way to get you going on your own if your a person that really prefers to exercise in your own home. You are able to start out slowly and your progress is measured so you know and feel like you are accomplishing something. It's fun and easy to do.
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