It is estimated that roughly 9.5% of the entire adult US population is affected by Depression every year. Along with that according to research, 17% of the US population might suffer from a major depression episode at some point in their lifetime. Generally, depressive patients get treated in primary care but people are looking for more natural ways to tackle their depression. One of the most commonly asked questions is Does exercise help depression? Many studies have shown that people who tend to exercise regularly benefit from a lower rate of depression. Not only with that but exercise also benefit with a positive boost in mood.
How does exercise help depression?
Exercise is an all-natural treatment to fight depression. Research has shown that exercise is as effective as an anti-depressant in many cases. Exercise has many benefits because it starts a process of biological events that result in many health benefits such as protecting you from mental conditions, diabetes, heart conditions, and lowering blood pressure.
1. Increases Mood-Boosting Hormones:
Many people are curious about how does exercise help depression. Low-intensity exercise that is sustained over time benefits the most in tackling depression. That kind of exercise helps the body release a particular type of protein called neurotrophic also known as growth factors. That protein helps the nerve cells to make new connections and grow. This improvement in brain function enables you to feel better which further relieves depression.
2. Reduce Stress:
Research says that regular exercise reduces stress hormones like cortisol. This helps you manage your stress level on a regular basis and also helps you manage your depression symptoms.
3. Distracts you from negative thoughts:
This is one of the main benefits and ways when it comes to does exercise help depression. Working out is a process and it distracts you from negative thoughts. It not only calms your mind but also engages your body.
4. Helps you sleep better:
Exercise does help make you feel better but the same amount of rest is also required for the body and mind to recover. Also, lack of sleep increases your risk of depression so having the right amount of sleep is necessary.
Improves Self-Esteem:
Exercise not only helps treat depression but also improves the self-esteem of a person and boosts self-confidence. This healthy habit helps increase your confidence in your abilities.
How long does exercise take to help depression?
Although there are many exercises when it comes to treating depression but there are some that show quick and highly effective results. Following are the exercises that are highly effective when it comes to treating depression quickly:
- Dancing
- Biking
- Gardening
- Golf
- Housework, especially cleaning
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Walking
- Yoga
- Jogging
When it comes to treating mental conditions, such as depression, most of the credit goes to the chemical activity that is taking place inside the brain. If you raise a question such as why does exercise help depression then the simplest answer to the question is that regular exercise does help release feel-good endorphins and other brain chemicals that enhance your sense of well-being. You should focus on exercising regularly and adopting a healthy lifestyle which would not only enhance your sense of well-being but will also improve your general lifestyle along with tackling depression.
