This excellent article from MayoClinic.com shows the growing recognition that exercise should be a component of any anti depression and anti anxiety treatment program. The Mayo Clinic article cites the following: "there's substantial evidence that exercise can enhance mood and reduce symptoms of depression" AND "One of the physiological mechanisms that may be at work is an increase in levels of certain mood-enhancing neurotransmitters in the brain. In addition, exercise may boost feel-good endorphins, release tension in muscles, diminish sleep abnormalities, reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol and even increase body temperature, which has calming effects." It's likely that no one single biological or psychological factor associated with physical activity is responsible for improving depression and anxiety. Just as mental disorders often have many different causes, exercise acts in many different ways. "There's plenty of evidence to suggest that exercise is important for emotional well-being and is helpful in reducing symptoms of depression," Dr. Vickers-Douglas says. "It's true that less is known about how exercise affects mood. But there's no reason to wait until the direct, indirect and interactive influences of physical activity on mental health are fully understood. You can start taking advantage of the benefits of physical activity now." Some people have the idea that being physically active is supposed to be easy and natural," Dr. Vickers-Douglas says. "Some think of it as just having enough willpower. But that really oversimplifies it and can make us feel like failures. You can't just rely on willpower. Identify your strengths and skills and apply those to exercise. Change isn't simple, but taking a series of simple steps in the right direction can be very effective. Just figure out what is the very first step for you." Please consider exercise as one the weapons to fight depression. Unlike some of the pharma treatments, the side effects of an active exercise program are all huge positives.
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