Cheryl A. Major is a volunteer contributor to WestfordCAT News. If you have news, email news@westfordcat.org.
If you’ve ever struggled with depression, you know that sometimes it’s hard to move never mind get it together to exercise. When there are days you don’t even want to get out of bed, the prospect of running, going to the gym or just walking around the block can be the last thing you want to consider.
If you’ve ever done any research on depression and about what you should be doing to feel better, no doubt you’re aware that one of the first things you will learn is that exercise will help you feel better, more upbeat – it will improve your mood. Not what I personally wanted to hear; just give me a pill to make me feel better, please…
I’ve never been a very sporty person. I tend to be more naturally sedentary than active. I have to stay on myself to stretch, exercise and keep moving. Exercising causes your body to release endorphins, which trigger positive feelings in your body, as well as the neurotransmitter norepinephrine which is believed to improve our mood. I remember talking with someone who had undergone a heart transplant. He said that he was on the stationary bicycle very shortly after the surgery to try to keep his endorphins surging. He didn’t want to give in to the depressive feelings he had about the surgery. He was a truly remarkable person. I can’t be sure I would do the same.
Regular exercise has also been shown to increase self esteem. This is important for people struggling with depression as one of the symptoms is that we often don’t feel that great about ourselves. I know I suffered from that as I was embarrassed and probably a bit ashamed to admit I was depressed. It was a lot of work to fool the world and to hide my depression. Looking fit and healthy will make anyone feel better!
Exercise increases energy levels. One of the classic symptoms of depression is lack of energy and lack of enthusiasm. Increasing your energy level with regular exercise can only help. This doesn’t mean you have to become a gym rat. Go for a walk with a friend, put on some music and dance around by yourself or with others. Run up and down a flight of stairs until you feel it in your legs and you’re out of breath. There are easy, instant ways to get some exercise.
Getting your heart rate and your breathing rate up is good for you in so many ways. When you stop and catch your breath, you’ll feel considerably more relaxed after expending energy and working off some of your stress and anxiety as well!
So… dance; golf (but forget the golf cart and walk); jog or run; ride your bike; get outside and do some yard work; garden; take a yoga class, a tai chi class or a qi gong class. You have options, and it’s fun and exciting to try something new. Maybe your efforts to use exercise to alleviate your depression will lead you to experience a form of exercise you’ll really enjoy and that will benefit you both physically and mentally!
Cheryl A Major lives in Westford and is a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant. Her TV show Thin Strong Healthy airs on WestfordCat and is an offshoot of her blog http://ThinStrongHealthy.com Cheryl offers ongoing information and personal health coaching to help you feel better and be healthier. Follow Cheryl on Twitter @CherylAMajor. She is also a full time residential Realtor with Coldwell Banker with more than 25 years experience.
Questions? Email Cheryl at cheryl@thinstronghealthy.com and be sure to put Health Question in the subject line. Your question and its answer will be included in a future article.
