You might not think of exercise as a method for relieving depression, but it truly can be. You will find that those who exercise often suffer from depression less than those who do not.
As if that’s not enough, those who make exercise a regular part of their healthy lifestyle may find that they may combat existing depression. So knowing that there is great power, you may wonder what type of exercise to turn to in your quest to relieve depression long term and help you to be your best.
You may want to find one exercise that is your own and really work to perfect it. You may alternatively wish to create a fitness regimen that features a variety of exercises to keep things interesting. Your actual strategy doesn’t matter so much, but it’s just the point that you make exercise a priority. When you perform exercise you help the body to release endorphins, which are better known as the “feel good hormones”. This is what will help not only your physical health, but also your mental and emotional health as well. That’s great power, and that alone should be motivation to make exercise a priority.
If you want to turn to a natural method to help relieve depression long term, then exercise is by far the best way to go. You will help your physical health by losing weight, getting fit and healthy, and looking and feeling your best. You will also help to combat depression, anxiety, and ensure that you feel good too in every sense of the word. Here are some great forms of exercise that can contribute to better mental and emotional health:
Walking or Running: It’s a great cardio workout, and it’s so accessible. You are getting the heart rate up and working towards your fitness, and you can do it from anywhere. The key here is to start at the point for which you feel comfortable, and then work your way up.
Every time you get the heart rate up and get the lungs working, you are also releasing some endorphins as well. So this is easy enough to take on, you can build on your progress, and you can help to combat the common signs of depression when you walk or run often.
Strength Training: Many people tend to shy away from strength training because they feel that it will build up too much muscle mass too quickly—this isn’t true and lifting weights is not going to make you too big! This is a great exercise because you shed fat, build muscle, and you also happen to boost your metabolism.
Believe it or not, amongst the many health benefits of strength training is also that it may specifically help to relieve depression long term and help you to feel your best. You will look better and you will feel better about yourself, and this is why strength training should be a main fixture of your fitness regimen.
Yoga: This is the essence of a mind and body connection, and therefore you must be sure to make yoga a regular part of your workout routine. You are working towards flexibility through stretching, but it’s also an excellent way of relieving stress. You will find that the deep breathing and meditation aspects of yoga help you to come out feeling renewed. While yoga may help with physical health, it is by far the best exercise to help you with mental health as well.
Exercising Outside In Any Form: If you want to be sure to help relieve depression long term then get outside for a walk, a run, or a full workout. Not only are you helping to release the “feel good hormones” but you are also taking in some much needed Vitamin D—this can help to improve mood and focus almost instantly.
Getting outside for your workouts can be a tremendous way of preventing depression, or at the very least helping to combat the symptoms that are commonly associated with it. Movement always helps, and combining it with the outdoors is a tremendous strategy to keep the depression away!
