Your Cart is Empty
Before I started my fitness journey, I was dealing with large bouts of depression that I couldn't stand experiencing.
I felt like I had no control of my life.
It got so bad that I had thoughts of ending it all.
And then, one day, I decided to try and change something in my life.
I saw these incredible weight loss transformations, and decided to try weight loss.
Initially, I thought that was the ticket to happiness, and jumped at it.
I started to exercise... and I hated it.
It was grueling and it wasn't fun.
And then, I started to notice that I felt slightly better after my workouts for hours at a time.
I continued chasing that serotonin rush after every workout session.
Eventually, after three months, I lost my first pound, and I was HOOKED.
Exercise became the catalyst on my mental health journey.
Now there's a lot of work beyond fitness that you need to do to address your depression.
I had to do more than exercise to help mine.
However, exercise has been regularly researched as a powerful tool for improving mental health, particularly in managing depression.
And in this post, we will explore 5 ways exercise helps with depression.
Let's get after it!
The simple answer: YES!
Physical activity boosts the production of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters, and potentially helps reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Additionally, regular exercise improves sleep quality and helps with social interaction, both of which can enhance overall mental well-being.
With this being said, here are 5 ways exercise helps with depression.
One of the most immediate benefits of exercise is the release of endorphins, often referred to as "feel-good" hormones.
These natural chemicals interact with receptors in the brain to reduce the perception of pain and trigger positive feelings, creating a sense of euphoria often referred to as the "runner's high."
This boost in endorphins can help reduce feelings of sadness and promote a more positive mood.
Regular physical activity helps lower levels of the body's stress hormones, such as cortisol.
Exercise promotes relaxation and can serve as a healthy outlet for coping with stress and anxiety.
By providing a distraction and a way to channel tension, exercise can help reduce the symptoms associated with both depression and anxiety.
Exercise also helps promote stress resilience, meaning that we can handle our everyday stressors better.
Since some believe depression and stress are connected, building stress resilience can help support our mood & well-being.
Depression often disrupts sleep patterns, leading to insomnia or poor-quality sleep.
Exercise can help regulate sleep by promoting deeper and more restful sleep.
Physical activity increases the time spent in the restorative stages of sleep, which is crucial for mental health recovery and overall well-being.
One of the most notable improvements on my mental health journey was that I was able to finally sleep for 8 hours at a time.
I had trouble even getting 6 hours of sleep when I was dealing with my worst bouts of depression and anxiety.
Participating in group exercises or team sports can enhance social interaction, which is vital for combating feelings of isolation that often accompany depression.
Building connections with others through shared physical activities can foster a sense of belonging and support, providing an important social network that can lift mood and improve mental health.
When I started lifting weights at a consistent time, I started to get to know people who showed up at the same time.
It was great connecting with people who shared the same interests.
Regular exercise can lead to improvements in physical fitness and body image, which can significantly enhance self-esteem.
Setting and achieving fitness goals, no matter how small, can foster a sense of accomplishment and empowerment.
This boost in confidence can have a positive ripple effect on overall mental health, helping to combat the negative thought patterns associated with depression.
Incorporating regular exercise into your routine can be a powerful strategy for managing depression.
From boosting endorphins to improving sleep and fostering social connections, the benefits of physical activity extend far beyond physical health.
Try to find a style of exercise that you enjoy - even when it's tough.
For myself, it started with lifting weights.
Today, it's a combination of weight lifting and Jiu-Jitsu.
Remember: although exercise will help, consider it a tool in your mental health arsenal.
It's always important to go beyond fitness and address your mental health with other tools like therapy and beyond.
Utilize every tool you can to take your life back - because you deserve a better life.
Until next time - thank you for reading!
Have you ever started a fitness journey with so much excitement, only to find yourself back at square one a few months later?
You're not alone.
We've been sold a dangerous lie about happiness.
In this more hyperactive and information overloaded world, discipline is needed more than ever before.
With more distractions being thrown at us, it's no wonder many of us feel like we lack discipline to do the things we need to do.