Depression and exercise often go hand-in-hand when creating treatment programs for people who suffer from Depression. Depression is not only one of the most mentally debilitating illnesses, but it’s also extremely physically devastating.
If you suffer from depression, chances are that you find yourself with no energy and no desire to do anything other than lay in bed or on the couch all day. However multiple studies have shown that regular exercise is a fairly effective way to treat depression.
Perhaps you have low-grade, ongoing depression, but you do not want to take antidepressants, except as a last resort. You might find that working with your doctor to create a regular exercise routine will help you fight your depression without having to resort to prescription drugs. Of course to treat depression effectively, you need to exercise at least five days a week, or you might not find it as effective.
If you’re suffering from depression, though, you probably think that the last thing you want to do is exercise. In fact reading the words depression and exercise in the same sentence probably seem strange to you. However, if you start a regular exercise plan, you’ll find that it gets easier over time to maintain a more active lifestyle.
Walking is one of the safest and most effective types of exercise. Start by going for a short walk, and gradually build yourself up to longer walks. Research on depression and exercise shows that aerobic exercises are best for treating depression. Try walking, running, bike riding, or swimming. If you don’t want to leave your house, even walking or running up and down your stairs several times can help get you develop a habit of moving more.
Side effects of some antidepressant medications include weight gain, extreme fatigue, or a heartier appetite. Doctors often prescribe regular exercise as a way to combat these debilitating side effects.
If you don’t know where to start, ask your doctor to recommend an exercise plan that you can follow every week. Because depression and exercise research shows that exercise is extremely effective, your doctor will probably be more than willing to help you create a plan to help you feel happier and less depressed.
If your doctor seems to be busy, when you call to make an appointment, tell the person scheduling the appointment that you want fifteen minutes in the doctors office to discuss an exercise plan specifically. That way, your doctor will know ahead of time the true purpose of your visit and will be more likely to be responsive to your questions and concerns. Of course, just because you are exercising does not mean that you can just go off of your antidepressant. Make sure you consult with your doctor before trying to stop taking your medication.
Although you might think that depression and exercise are unrelated, you should understand that one of the best ways to treat depression is to exercise regularly. Instead of trying to do too much right from the start, make a goal to start slowly and gradually add more time or increase your intensity.
You may start with just a few days for 10 or 15 minutes at first and gradually add more time to each day until you work up to 30 minutes a few days a week. Then begin to add an extra day each week until you reach your goal or 5 days a week for 30 minutes each day. Before you know it you’ll start to feel better and the effects of depression start to dissipate.
Related Articles and Links
Return from Depression and Exercise to Physical Fitness Articles