Exercise and your Mental Health
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Why exercise may be a natural anti-depressant
Exercise and Mental Health : Research shows there is a connection between long term exercise and patients who are clinically depressed. The findings show that exercise benefits individuals with the results of increased muscle tone and decreased incidence of heart disease and obesity.
Physical exercise is an activity associated with high self esteem, a sense of positive self image and happiness. While those in a state of depression have feelings of hopelessness or a sense of defeat. By utilizing aerobics fitness training, one can receive the benefits such as postive mood, restful sleep and improved self-esteem.
Other benefits of exercise include anxiety reduction
It states that out of the different variety of types of exercise, anxiety reduction is most apparent when:
1. The exercise is aerobic in nature such as running, swimming, cycling, skating or mountain climbing as opposed to nonaerobic which include handball, strength-flexibility training,
2. Another factor included the length of the aerobic training program that is at least 10 weeks and preferably greater than 15 weeks in length.
What is your Favorite Form of Excercise?
See results without votingExercise in comparison to psychotherapy and behavioral interventions
It was found that exercise decreased depression more than relaxation training did among clinically depressed subjects.
Astonishingly studies found that exercise did produce the same effects as psychotherapy, behavioral interventions, and social contact.
More Favorite Exercise Choices
See results without voting
Some facts about Depression and our Society
- Clinical depression affects 2-5% of Americans each year.
- It is estimated that patients suffering from clinical depression make up 6-8% of general medical practices.
- Depressed individuals annually spend 1.5 times more on health care than nondepressed individuals,
- Those being treated with antidepressants spend three times more on outpatient pharmacy costs than those not on drug therapy
In summary our mental health is a big part of living a healthier lifestyle and with the aforementioned statistics one would see the need to increase awareness among individuals of the benefits of physical exercise and using it to help with establishing a positve self-image for a healthier life.
Resource:
http://www.fitness.gov/mentalhealth.htm
Martinsen, E.W. The role of aerobic exercise in the treatment of depression. Stress Medicine, 3, 93-100.
Martinsen, E.W. Benefits of exercise for the treatment of depression. Stress Medicine, 9, 380-389.
Martinsen, E.W. Therapeutic implications of exercise for clinically anxious and depressed patients.
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Comments
Now we're talkin...awesome Hub! Also, you can add that RSS link into the RSS Capsule and it will actually list out and link to a few of the other HubMob Hubs.
Good advice.
Well you don't have my absolute favorite, walking or hiking... I think I will go do it right now, LOL! The economic picture on the boob tube is making me crazy.
Good and educative hub.....i needed that to remind me to take exercises a bit more serious. Once again, Laurie this is good.....well done.
Nick - Thanks for stopping by I will keep on hubbin.
Ryan - Thanks for the headsup, I added the RSS to the capsule
einron - Glad you enjoyed it.
Storytellersrus - I added hiking, good call.
Soyelude - I can relate to you there, I started to think about how I can add more exercise in my daily routine.
Hey, very good info. I'm going to take a Health and Fitness class starting next week...Thanks for this :-)
My bad, I commented as a guess lol That's me above :-)
Yonelia - taking a health and fitness class is a great idea.
Well done.
You might want to check your spelling of exercise.
Uninvited Writer - Thanks for noticing that.
I try to walk about 3 k per day around a nice peaceful lake near my place. and I certainly agree whole heartedly with what you are saying. Good Hub
agvulpes - that sounds like a really nice walk, especially by the lake.
Thanks for the good info on "anxiety reduction"...
Cool post. I find steep trails in varied terrain give me a mind-body mellowness that few other activities can come close to. I used to use exercise machines indoors (and lost weight that way) -- outdoor work-outs take the stress reduction to a whole other level.
Happy1 - I was delighted to learn that as well.
Hikeguy - I like hiking too, especially in San Diego hiking trails.
Yes! Often the mind keeps asking "what shall we worry about next?" The target is to get your mind outta the way. in order not to get outta your mind!
If you run a reasonable distance within your capacity or swim around 10 lengths of the pool non-stop, you succeed in keeping that mind shut! The exhaustion does it I guess.
You need to actually forget to remember that your mind wants to probe into the trash can! A swim a day is all you need, or even a run would do.
Have a great day!
outdoors whenever possible. and I need it. I'm clinically depressed without it.
Great information! My depression tends to be hormonally related when it occurs, but I've definitely noticed that I feel best in spring and fall when the weather's good enough to hit the trail regularly on days off.
Thanks for a good hub. Exercise in a class or gym can help you mental health in other ways - it may give you a chance to meet and talk to new people!
Learning new exercises is also good, because you have to concentrate (and not think about the things causing anxiety).
i have voted for swimming as i love to swim. nice hub. carry on RA.
Whew! I'm all worn out from biking to the library, then home, then to the store. I guess I should be happy or at least not depressed. But I am somewhat tired. Isn't there an easier way to avoid depression?!
quicksand, I definitely agree with you about how the mind wants to focus on negative thoughts and doubt and self criticism, it takes constant training to get the mind to concentrate on things that will be of help in our lives, like you said when one is engaged in such a physical activity the mind can not do anything but participate.
HD - I try to go outside as much as possible myself, I have a flower garden that I am nurturing and each day it produces some nice surprises.
Kerryg - I have come to think that we as humans are meant to be outside in the wild so to speak instead of confined to a room, office or building.
2patricias - you bring up a really good point, more benefits of working out is meeting other like minded individuals who like to work out too!
jupitar - I admire swimmers, maybe because I never learned how to swim.
Budwood - I will have to say you had me laughing, working out does take motivation. smile
Nick Logan TV says:
16 months ago
Great information...Thanks for hubbin