The benefit is both psychological and physiological. The impact of exercise on the depressed brain appears to take several forms, but the long-touted “feel good” endorphins aren’t necessarily the answer, says Dunn. “Exercise induces all these neural growth factors,” she says, and “creates new neurons in your brain.” The result: bolstered connectivity that could play a critical role in the depressed brain, which is often operating with a deficit of these connections. Also very important, explains Blumenthal, is the fact that keeping up a regular workout regimen seems to reinforce self-confidence and a sense of being in control of one’s health.
It’s not that I didn’t know that regular exercise is good for me. Anyone who’s been depressed has probably been told to ‘go for a walk’ at some point in their treatment process. But I’ve been really lazy about keeping up with a semi-work out schedule that I had a few months ago. That lapse has not been good for me mentally and have noticed a physical change, too.
Reading this article made me tell myself that I need to get back on that treadmill again, but I really need a way to be more consistent about exercise. Perhaps I need to view exercising, well, like a prescribed pill. If I can pop a few pills without too much thought, I guess I can hop on an elliptical without thinking much about it, too. Any suggestions to help me stay on track?
US News and World Report has an article, What Science is Discovering about Exercise and Depression.
Here’s an excerpt:
It’s not that I didn’t know that regular exercise is good for me. Anyone who’s been depressed has probably been told to ‘go for a walk’ at some point in their treatment process. But I’ve been really lazy about keeping up with a semi-work out schedule that I had a few months ago. That lapse has not been good for me mentally and have noticed a physical change, too.
Reading this article made me tell myself that I need to get back on that treadmill again, but I really need a way to be more consistent about exercise. Perhaps I need to view exercising, well, like a prescribed pill. If I can pop a few pills without too much thought, I guess I can hop on an elliptical without thinking much about it, too. Any suggestions to help me stay on track?