While exercising won’t solve all mental or physical ailments, it definitely won’t cause harm when done with care. That’s one reason many mental health care professionals are adding workouts for depression care. It’s not a cure-all, but will help burn off the hormones of stress and help stimulate the creation of endorphins, those happy hormones that come after a tough workout. Exercise helps your circulation that brings oxygen and nutrient rich blood to all parts of the body, including the brain.
Walking or running is not only healthy, it’s available to almost everyone.
While running gets your heart pounding and stimulate the brain to produce those happy hormones that provide the runners high, walking can also help lift your spirits. If you’re looking for a prescription for depression, try 20 to 30 minutes of running each day. Just moving will help you feel better and stimulate the creation of endorphins. If you’re not fit enough for going for a run or simply like your workout a bit slower, consider a long walk. It does just as much good if you do it regularly.
You’ll be amazed at how good strength training can make you feel.
There have been numerous studies that show that strength training can also bring relief from depression. One of the most impressive ones focused on stroke survivors. They did strength training for ten weeks, which provided a lot of benefits, including reducing the symptoms of depression. Since strength training is all about control and mastery, it can boost the mood of even those not depressed. Watching muscles grow and feeling strength grow also adds to the improvement of mood.
Yoga and tai chi are good for depression.
There’s a marvelous antidepressant feeling you’ll get when you enter the world of yoga. Yoga is all about mindfulness, improved flexibility and strength. It focuses on settling your mind with breathing exercises and a bit of meditation. That alone should help chase away negative thoughts. Tai Chi also focuses on slow movements to help even major depressive disorders. One study showed that women who took yoga classes for two months showed significant improvement over those that didn’t. Another study showed that Tai chi helped provide significant improvement for depressed seniors.
- Something as simple as just getting outside and playing with the kids can bring a benefit. Walking on the grass in bare feet, on a sunny day can also bring depression relief. Both the sun and the grounding do it.
- If you’re depressed try making exercise more fun by bouncing on a personal trampoline. If you don’t have a trampoline available, just jumping up and down can help and you can do it without lifting your feet off the floor. Just bend your knees and go up and down fast!
- Regular exercise helps you sleep sounder, which is also important for good mental health. A good night’s sleep may be all you need to get back on the road to recovery.
- No matter what your exercise of choice, eating healthy can also help you improve your mental health. There are a number of foods that ease depression, such as walnuts, mushrooms, tomatoes and leafy greens.