It has long been known that regular exercise is good for our physical health. It can reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke.
In recent years, studies have shown that regular physical activity also has positive benefits for mental health. Exercise can help people recover from depression and prevent them from becoming depressed in the first place.
Exercise can improve mood, reduce anxiety and improve concentration. Exercise has an effect on certain chemicals in the brain that affect our mood and make us feel happier.
Exercise can also boost people’s self-confidence and self-esteem. Dr Alan Cohen, a GP with a special interest in mental health, says that when people get depressed or anxious they often feel they’re not in control of their lives.
“Exercise gives them back control of their bodies and this is often the first step to feeling in control of other events,” he says.
Who can benefit and what type of exercise is best? Anyone with depression can benefit from doing regular exercise, but it is especially useful for people with mild depression.“Any type of exercise is useful as long as it suits you and you do enough of it. “Exercise should be something you enjoy. Otherwise it will be hard to find the motivation to do it on a regular basis.How often?Any exercise is better than none, but to get the maximum benefit 30 minutes a day at least five days a week (or 45 minutes to an hour at least three times a week) is needed.
If you haven’t exercised for a while, gradually introduce physical activity into your daily routine.
If you’re tired, exercise can give you energy. If you’re worried, it can take your mind off your concerns for a while. Even a 15-minute walk can help you to clear your mind and relax.
How to get started
Why not get in contact with a certifiedpt and be guaranteed that you are starting in the right direction. Training by yourself can sometimes be hard to get motivated especially when suffering from depression. A certifiedpt can give you that boost that you need to get your mind back on track. Not only giving you a boost but be certain that you will be training hard and having fun all at the same time physically and mentally.
Further help and information
Doing more exercise is one of many ways to cope with depression. It’s not an alternative to medical help for depression. There are many treatments available for depression, including talking therapies, antidepressant medication and self-help of various kinds.
If you’ve been feeling down for more than two weeks, visit your GP to discuss your symptoms. They will be able to tell you about the choice of treatment available for depression and help you decide what’s best for you.
At certified personal training we have the knowledge and experience to train you, and all you need to know to achieve your goals. Why not book into a FREE 30min session with a certified personal trainer and see what we can do for you.
