Exercise and Depression
Regular Exercise Can Reduce The Symptoms of Depression

There is plenty of information available about the benefits of exercise and depression from many authoritative sources. In fact, if you aren't depressed and read up on this subject you'll wonder why there isn't a mile long queue of depressed people at the gym, just gagging to get on the treadmill, desperate to do their 30 minutes and face the day with the enthusiasm of a 5 year old.

This video always brings a smile to my face - go on, take a minute out for a giggle :-)

Lets take a look at the benefits according to the Mental Health Foundation:-

• Reduces anxiety.
• Improves self esteem and body image.
• It also releases feel-good brain chemicals such as endorphins.
• Exercise has far fewer negative side effects than antidepressants.
• Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, some cancers, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and obesity.
• Exercise does not carry the stigma sometimes associated with medication or counselling.
• Can give a sense of empowerment over recovery.
• Once the exercise habit is learned, it can form part of an overall healthy lifestyle.

Its important to be aware that for an exercise program to be successful in treating depression it needs to be structured, so if you are going it alone, that means being committed to a regular routine. If you can get a friend to join in with you so much the better, you'll motivate each other.

In the UK we have an Exercise Referral Scheme which is accessed through your doctor. He can recommend you for joining a gym or health club. This is then subsidized for a specific period, which should be long enough for you to really feel the benefit, not only mentally but in your body too.

Basically you go along to participating Leisure Centre or Gym and have a personal program devised for you by a specially trained exercise professional. This person will continue to support, advise and motivate you throughout the duration of the program, usually 3-6months.

There are usually a number of activities on offer in addition to using the gym facilities or exercise classes. You may be able to chose from yoga, aerobics, tai chi, swimming or join a walking group. The fact that these schemes are available clearly shows the link between exercise and depression as being beneficial.

Its really quite easy, you can start a program of exercise and depression will hopefully become just a memory. What? Not that simple - I know, first you need to have the motivation to get started and that can be a big problem too. This was a successful way for me to deal with depression, but like many I needed support and encouragement.

Back from Exercise and Depression to Healthy Lifestyle Success home page

Managing Depression - Where Should You Start? Many who suffer from depression reject prescription drugs and prefer managing depression themselves

Depression Checklist - a list of symptoms to get you thinking about your moods, physical symptoms and state of mind.

Best Depression Treatment - Determining the best depression treatment often involves trying out some different approaches.

How Do You Know If You Are Living With Depression? When its more than just a bad hair day! Or maybe you've forgotten what 'normal' feels like.Living With A Depressed Person - Its tough living with a depressed person, you may even find yourself questioning who is depressed!

Understand the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder - Bipolar depression differs as it has "two poles" - the highs and lows. You may heard it described as "manic depression" in the past.