Exercise as an antidepressant
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/56/23/1375
I had a great chat with a good friend in my office yesterday, and we were discussing the benefits of exercise on mood and depression.
In the 2022 study linked above, the effects of exercise were comparable/equal to using an antidepressant for depression. The higher the intensity of the exercise, the greater the mood improvement. HOWEVERRRRRRR…….just going for a walk makes tremendous difference as well.
Many argue that when someone is depressed, they cannot get up and do “the things”. This is where we have to dig really deep into ourselves, and acknowledge that today we do not feel our best, we want to couch rot and do nothing, but we have to train our brain to get up and move anyways. Even when we really do not want to. Training the body to get up and move when it is easier to sit and do nothing is the first step to exercise improving depression. Because depression is multifactorial, and when we are able to move as our bodies are intended to do, we also begin to focus on things other than the things that trigger depression.
A mile begins with a single step. A single step can just be walking in your backyard for 5 minutes. Slowly increase that over time. Your body and brain will thank you!
Might I add this: Exercise is addictive. It is a good addiction. You actually begin to look forward to the challenge and accomplishment (mental). If you deprive your body of exercise, you will become tired because your body is telling you it is time (physical). 30 minutes a day is a great reset for your brain too. Yes, if you want to defeat depression, fix your diet and start to exercise. In all likelihood, you will become a new person. These GLP drugs will eventually ruin your stomach. They are being touted as miracle drugs, but my daughter is positive that label will come crashing down when we finally have some long term follow up data. A pill will never solve your problems, a healthy lifestyle will.
Thx for the encouragement.
Reminder: get out of my head, get up on my own two feet and move.