Exercise has many benefits including improving your health, both mentally and physically. If you suffer from depression, getting exercise on a regular basis may be able to help improve your moods and help curb depression symptoms. If you have not been getting your daily amount of exercise, you could be making it harder to properly treat your depression. Always seek the professional advice of your physician before starting any type of exercise program and to get a diagnosis of depression.
Treatment
The first step to effectively treating your depression is a full medical evaluation that includes a mental health questionnaire to determine its severity. Clinical depression is defined by professionals as being a severe and long-term depression with intense feelings of sadness and changes in physical health. A medical exam will likely be done to make sure your immediate health isn't in jeopardy. Your physician may send a blood sample to a laboratory for a complete pathology report. An anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication plan may be recommended for treatment.
Considerations
When you lead a sedentary lifestyle, your body may not be able to deal with anxiety and depression as easily as if you were getting an adequate amount of exercise. The American College of Sports Medicine explains that getting regular physical exercise up to 70 minutes or more per week can help your emotional health, including decreasing the symptoms of depression.
Benefits
Living a sedentary lifestyle can sometimes cause your depression to feel overwhelming. When you exercise, your body may help release certain chemicals such as endorphins in the brain that have been known to combat depression. The Mayo Clinic staff explain that you may also stimulate neurotransmitters when you exercise -- an important factor in fighting depression. Not exercising may also suppress immune system chemicals, making you more susceptible to getting ill, which can cause your depression to worsen.
Effects
Depression can leave you feeling overwhelmed by life and can zap your energy and strength. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle and don't exercise regularly, your depression can begin to interfere with your life. Adding small amounts of exercise daily can help you regain strength and perspective, allowing you to move forward with your depression treatment and gain a positive outlook on life.
Significance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that a healthy adult should get up to 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or its equivalent weekly. This can include activities such as walking, jogging and hiking. Exercise can help improve your health and help you avoid diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and hypertension. It can also help build your self-confidence by allowing you to tone your body and improve your appearance. Regular exercise can help you battle depression by giving you more energy and help you ward off excess stress and anxiety.
