Why treat depression with antidepressants and other kind of medication when you can have better results by only exercising and performing regular physical activities? It's a fact that exercising solves various health related problems and also empowers your brain and your mental abilities. Thus helping you beat depressive emotions and stress.
I was passing by the APA's (American Psychology Association) website the other day and I came across various clinical studies mentioning that depression can be treated very effectively with regular exercise. In fact, these guys at APA recommend to all psychologists to put exercise in their top list and to recommend it to all their clients.
An interesting clinical study pointed out that not only exercise can beat severe depression, but it also helps stop depression from reappearing. The risk of depression and anxiety symptoms increases dramatically when people stop exercising.
APA's Psychologists say that it doesn't really matter how much time you spend for exercise. What's really important is that you exercise very regularly (e.g. once or twice a day).
Of course, people suffering from severe depression and anxiety should not just stop taking medicines or quit therapy and start exercising to cure their depression. But the benefits of exercising are enormous. According to the studies, if a person performs physical activities every day then the chances for the depressive symptoms to disappear are great.
But how can exercise beat depression?. You know that a lot of people pay a visit to the gym after a stressful day at work.
Remember that rewarding and calming emotion after a good workout? I've felt it. I bet you've felt it too. Why is that happening? According to the researchers it's because exercise makes people happier and boosts their self-esteem. Now, if you're suffering from depression you definitely display lack of self-confidence and low levels of self-esteem. And that's where exercise really helps. By making you feel better for yourself and by giving you that feeling of accomplishment.
It's really simple if you think about it.
You don't need chemical antidepressants because regular exercise is your original, natural and effective antidepressant. The one that will relieve you from stress, anxiety and all depressive symptoms. Even if you suffer from severe depressive states you still have chances to beat depression only by exercising.
But there's a catch.
People tend to go too far with exercise and over perform. They become obsessive and exhausted. That's not a good thing when dealing with depression because you must always be strong enough to fight with yourself and your depressive symptoms.
Exercise really drains your energy reserves and leaves you weak to face depression.
In order to survive this you have to be balanced. You have to take small steps one at a time. That's why it's important to consult an expert before taking exercise to a point of self-abuse. Exercise does improve your mental health and can heal your depression but you have to do it right. And take it easy.
Let's go through some of the key benefits of exercise in the struggle against depression: - Boosts your self esteem - Eliminates sad feelings - Promotes feelings of accomplishment - Increases productivity
Consider the fact that 20 percent of the world's population suffers from various depressive states. Consider the fact that 50 percent of the world's population do not exercise at all. Most people suffering from depression are missing the number one natural and most effective antidepressant. Which is exercise. Not to mention that exercise is also the cheapest antidepressant of all!
Life and all its inordinate problems can often appear as a giant bearing down on you. It's enormous footsteps shake and shudder the very foundations of your life bringing stress and anxiety. Relief from these problems can seem like a lifetime away. When bills pile up, family demands overwhelm, tasks in hand get out of hand and calamity and tragedy fill in the news headlines.
What do you do anxiety and stress giant comes a calling? Who do you turn to for help? The fact it is you are not alone there is somebody who can help. There are people you can turn to for support, advice and are assistant. You do not have to suffer alone in silence. If you need help to over come life's problems and are looking for anxiety and stress relief try one of these:
?Doctor
?Friends
?Counsellors
?Therapists
?Self-help books
?Hypnotherapists
?Herbal remedies
?Acupuncture
?Self-help CDs
How about calling your regular doctor for advice about anxiety and stress relief? Many people ignore all forget about this obvious port or call. In fact they call to your GP should be on the top of your list. When the enormity of life's difficulties becomes too much for your and you are finding things are getting on top of you then call your doctor for anxiety and stress relief advice.
Anxiety and stress relief information and help should be sought in the same way as any other medical assistance. If you broke your arm then you wouldn't think twice about seeking medical help would you. Therefore you should treat your anxiety and stress problems in the same way.
It is possible that your doctor will prescribe medication to relieve your anxiety and stress. Your anxiety and stress problems could be due to some underlying physical condition that needs to the investigated thoroughly by a trained medical practitioner. Prescribed medication may be just the answer to your problem and you should not ignore the simple fact that the few pills may be all you need.
Make time for yourself
Everybody deserves some time to themselves. Time for self should not be considered an unnecessary luxury. It is something that we all need. The find something that you love doing, something that gives you pleasure and take Time to indulge yourself in it. If your schedule is so overwhelming then start with ten minutes for yourself your objective should be working towards one hour of time devoted to you.
Taking the time out for yourself does not mean that you are selfish and uncaring. When people demand is so much from you then you will find your reach sources leaking away and your ability to cope with anxiety and stress will diminish. To be able to give your best and work at your optimum level means that you need time devoted to yourself.
Well what are you going to do with this new time devoted to yourself? How will you use your "me time?" Here are a few suggestions:
?Take a long relaxing walk
?take a long relaxing bath; light candles, burn incense
?read a fiction book
?write a poem or short story
?undertake some light exercise
?take up a new sport
?practice meditation
?enrol in a yoga class
?try listening to music
Whatever you do begin to enjoy life. Live it to the full. Consider each moment as precious, like diamonds to be mined in life's experiences. Find out what works best for you and try different and new things. Begin to experience life and don't just let it pass you by. Anxiety and stress relief is attainable and within your grasp. But you must make the effort to reach out and take it.
I wish you a great day, more importantly ? have a blessed life!
Both Maria Markella & Peter Wellington are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.