Clinical depression can leave a person feeling like they are being held down – not just by a lack of motivation – but a heavy physical lethargy. Depression can cause a person to have an overwhelming sense of melancholy, erectile dysfunction, weight loss and reoccurring feelings of anxiety. If you’re suffering from depression, exercise is probably one of the last things on your mind. But, exercise can be very, very useful in treating depression. And, it’s easier than you think to get both the psychological and physiological benefits that come from a healthy exercise routine.
Although it’s far from a miracle cure, exercise seems to give both body and mind just about everything it lacks when someone is suffering from depression. Exercise raises your endorphin levels or your “feel good brain chemicals.” Athletes are always talking about the feelings of euphoria they get after working out and long-distance marathon runners always talk of a “runner’s high.” Those are all due to the hard work of endorphins.
Exercise is also great at reducing anxiety levels and creating a positive outlook on life. Many people with depression, who after a bit of exercise start to notice themselves dropping a few pounds or generally improving their physical appearance, can gain self confidence and esteem, which works to ward off the feelings of uselessness often associated with depression. Exercise can also be great, because as many men know, depression can cause erectile dysfunction. Exercise is great for men with erectile dysfunction because it works to improve blood flow throughout the body and can reverse the effects of high blood pressure and diabetes which are major contributors to erectile dysfunction.
Now, you may be thinking ‘This all sounds great, but I am not feeling well, I’m not healthy and definitely don’t have the energy to wake up early and suddenly become a star athlete right away.’ Well, you don’t have to start out that way. It is actually best to start out slow and work your way into a healthy routine, instead of going for broke in the beginning and becoming upset that you are having difficulty maintaining the routine. It is recommended that just 20-30 minutes of exercise four to five days a week is all you need to help reverse the symptoms of depression. Plus, you don’t have to be a gym rat dressed in spandex to get the quality exercise you need. Think about your hobbies. Do you like to play golf, take a brisk walk, hike or swim? These basic fun activities can all be really beneficial to helping you become more mentally and physically healthy.
Depression is a major health issue and, of course, you should talk to a doctor about any course of treatment you are interested in taking. After you’ve done that, you’ll find that getting into a positive exercise routine is really fun and can help you get back the lust for life you previously thought was robbed by depression.
