Exercise and Depression

Exercise and Depression


exercise and depressionExercise and depression seems to be rather antagonistic phrases. But you should know that exercise is the keystone of all treatments for depression. The will (power) is undermined in depression, thoughts and feelings are separated from will (read more...). The most important task is to regain the will. This can only be achieved by (physical) exercises.

 

 



In a study (2000), researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found that exercise works at least as well as Zoloft, a popular prescription drug, in treating clinical depression and keeping the condition from returning.

Scientists tested exercise against Zoloft, and found the ability of either -- or a combination of the two -- to reduce or eliminate symptoms were about the same. They found that exercise seemed to do a better job of keeping symptoms from coming back after the depression lifted. The patients in this study had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. This report followed earlier research in which 156 adult volunteers had taken part in a four-month comparison of exercise, Zoloft or a combination. The exercise primarily consisted of brisk walking, stationary bike riding, or jogging for 30 minutes, plus a 10-minute warm-up and 5-minute cool-down, three times a week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you see there is also scientific evidence that exercise is at least as effective as the best antidepressants. If you can join depression and exercise you will get a good result. Do you have 30 minutes?

Physical exercise of 20-30 minutes stimulates your body to produce endorphins, natural mood elevating chemicals. Endorphins are proteins, brain opioids similar to morphine. This can lift mood and produce an exercise high that lasts up to eight hours. It also increases blood flow to the brain.

 

depression swimmerTo enhance your depression self treatment, do it regularly. Do regular routine exercise, like jogging, walking, cycling, horse riding, swimming, jumping a skipping rope etc. it is good for your mood, it is a good depression cure.

Any form of physical activity will do as treatments for depression - may be the best are outdoor activities during daylight. Some people prefer to exercise with rhythmical music, like aerobic which is experienced as a great mood enhancer. Powerful music combined with physical activity (like dancing) is often an excellent depression cure.

My favourite hobby is horse-riding. If I feel sad or depressed, I just go to the riding stables and I ride for an hour. It really helps! Horses can feel if you are sad, they understand you. And if you ride in the sunshine, on the fields or in a forest, its very calming. You can go over your problems while riding. And if you just fondle the horses, its also good against depression! You'll feel better, just try it!Sophi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

depression cyclingRegular exercise can actually be as effective as antidepressant drugs or talking treatments in relieving symptoms of mild depression. It also improves the way you look, and therefore your self-esteem and may provide a social setting for meeting new people.

 

 

 



What is your favourite exercise? Do you have your own experience with exercise and depression? Don't be lazy, share with us!

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Exercise or Antidepressants?

There are more benefits to exercising than just eating antidepressant pills in case of depression.
'Jim Blumenthal of Duke University went on to research on this beneficial aspect of exercising after noticing that people felt better when they exercised and thus decided to examine if exercise was able to reduce depressive symptoms in patients. Read More

Horses and Depression

Hi! I'm Sophi. My favourite hobby is horse-riding. If I feel sad or depressed, I just go to the riding stables and I ride for an hour. It really helps! Horses can feel if you are sad, they understand you. And if you ride in the sunshine, on the fields or in a forest, its very calming. You can go over your problems while riding. And if you just fondle the horses, its also good against depression! You'll feel better, just try it!

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