Evidence Synthesized: Exercise Promotes Mental Health
The most common forms of treatment for depression are medications and talk therapy. But a large body of evidence demonstrates that exercise is also effective in treating depression. In fact, some data show that regular exercise is just as effective as medications and therapy in reducing the symptoms of depression.
Not surprisingly, the new umbrella review, published in the British Journal of Sport Medicine, found that exercise is “highly beneficial for improving symptoms of depression, anxiety, and distress across a wide range of adults populations.”
Researchers found that people diagnosed with specific primary conditions — such as depression, HIV, and kidney disease — benefited the most from regular exercise. Pregnant and post-partum women also saw significant improvements in depressive symptoms with regular exercise.
So what’s the best way to incorporate exercise into your daily life? We know that social support is a critical aspect to maintaining a regular exercise routine. Finding a friend to meet for a regular workout can help you to stick with it.
We also know you don’t have to exercise for very long to reap some benefits. Evidence shows that higher intensity exercise for shorter periods of time boosts your health and promotes mental health.
Read the complete article available at Psychology Today!
Reflection:
Do you exercise regularly?
#Exercise #PhysicalHealth #MentalHealth
If you liked this article, you might also like, "Does Exercise Reduce the Risk of Depression?"
Also check out, "8 Ways to Sneak Exercise into Your Daily Routine"
@comfortableNight4463
Yes, I exercise regularly. I typically workout 5-7 days a week. I Always workout Monday through Fridays. I've gotten off track on Saturdays for awhile. But have started to incorporate them again. When or if I feel I need a break I will do so either Sat or Sun depending how I feel.
@PoliteOcean That's wonderful! Good job!
@comfortableNight4463
I don't exercise regularly. I can't motivate myself to exercise without an activity to make it palatable. I.E. Volleyball, Kayaking or Rock Climbing.
Since there is nothing I enjoy doing there is no activity that I am motivated to do.
I relate— very hard to exercise when it doesn’t feel like it helps or like it takes so much to do so that it is almost like it’s not even worth it. That’s how I feel often anyway. Exercise gives me anxiety sometimes, I’m not comfortable in it and using my body that way especially when I am at such a low starting point. I know it is good and it does feel good after but lack of motivation and interest in activity are literally the symptoms of depression like???
@Gettingbettertoday I understand the feeling. It can be tedious to do something that doesn't involve an activity.
I tie exercise to a reward or achievement and right now that's enough for me.
I listen to music and have fun while I'm exercising by singing along or trying new tricks or routes on my bike or longboard.
@Dallady That's a lovely idea! It makes exercising more enjoyable!
@comfortableNight4463
Yes, I get lots of cardio and stretching throughout the day now. Yay! 🌝
I used to rarely get moving daily, and mainly moved a lot on weekends:
- Then I realized I was sitting way too much for too long on average
- I noticed it was actually making my health deteriorate
-
My sleep got worse, my blood sugar went up, my stress increased, my muscles shrunk gradually
So I totally switched my routine:
- Now I sneak in very short mini-move sessions daily as much as possible
- I picked that strategy because research shows it is very effective
- I found all kinds of quick moves I can do that are fun and feel good in bursts
- I do them at very regular times so it's part of my routine I just do
-
I also do longer cardio sessions and they feel really great
- It all has helped improve my sleep and body-tone and reduces stress, Yay!
Everything I do is in videos in the free 7Cups "Community" growth paths here
(search for exercise and click "Community"):
https://www.7cups.com/path/modifier/
@7motivation This is great! Thank you for sharing!