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by Tony Gjokaj September 08, 2021 3 min read
When I was overweight, I was inactive, depressed, and had insomnia.
I would isolate myself from social interaction, which led me down a dark path where I contemplated suicide.
Eventually, fitness was my salvation, as physical activity led to me sleeping better, eating better, feeling better, and thinking better.
Prior to exercise, I was stuck in what was deemed an Inactivity Trap.
So in this post, we are going to go over an article that was written in 2009 with the same name, called "The Inactivity Trap". This article included studies that supported their claims from a psychological standpoint which intrigued me as well.
So let's dive into what the Inactivity Trap is.
The author of the Inactivity Trap article argues those who need exercise the most are those with depression.
Depression and physical inactivity have a bi-directional relationship where the following occurs:
This is the Inactivity Trap. Our psyche can be our worst enemy in that our life experiences can impact your motivation to exercise and vice versa.
From an evolutionary standpoint, scientists have proposed that there was a benefit for depressive symptoms in some individuals in a tribe.
Based on the Evolutionary Adaptation Hypothesis, depression may have provided a survival advantage as a result of social isolation. Individuals who isolated themselves would encounter less conflict or harm from the tribe.
In addition to this, a reduced appetite of food and libido led to less competition with others in the tribe. Changes in sleep patterns would also allow depressed individuals to be more active in times where other are not.
While we some may have used depression in the past as an advantage for survival, depression can be more harmful today.
Depression and physical inactivity in our more sedentary world today can be a silent killer. With isolation comes worsening of depressive symptoms and can lead to contemplation of suicide, self-harm, and more.
I can personally attest to this if you read my story in our previous post.
So with that being said, let's explore the various benefits of physical exercise.
For starters, frequency of exercise can lead to reduced all-cause mortality and minimizing the chance of getting other diseases (such as heart disease).
Adding to that, exercise can eliminate some bad habits and poor eating choices. For example, exercise can potentially lead to the cessation of smoking. As smoking is used as something to treat stress and anxiety, exercise can fill its place overtime.
Exercise can also lead to improved cognitive function, such as memory improvements, focus, and more.
Ultimately, exercise will improve psychological wellbeing, as it reduces stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.
To conclude, we wanted to give you some habits and other recommendations that may help you with physical exercise:
We hope that this either gave you some insight on the benefits of mental health on physical exercise, or it inspired you to get active.
If you need more insights on strategies you can utilize to improve your wellbeing, be sure to subscribe to our email list.
Our latest eBook, Anti-Depress, is included as a free download if you subscribe to our email list.
If you have any questions or comments, please email us at support@reforgedperformance.com or message us on Instagram.
Until next time, Reforged Warrior!
Tony is the Owner of Reforged. He is a PN1 Certified Nutrition Coach and has been in the fitness space for over a decade. His goal is to help millions exercise their way out of depression and anxiety.
by Tony Gjokaj September 18, 2023 3 min read
Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in many bodily functions, including muscle and nerve function, blood sugar regulation, and bone health.
Despite its importance, many people do not get enough magnesium from their diets alone.
This is where supplements like magnesium glycinate can be helpful.
Magnesium glycinate is a highly bioavailable form of magnesium that is easily absorbed by the body and has several potential health benefits.
In this post, we'll explore the benefits of magnesium glycinate and why it may be a valuable addition to your overall health and wellness plan.
Let's dive in!
by Tony Gjokaj September 13, 2023 3 min read
Depression is a complex mental health condition that affects millions of people around the world.
While seeking professional help is crucial, integrating exercise into your routine can be an effective complementary strategy to alleviate its symptoms.
Exercise isn't just about physical fitness; it has a profound impact on your mental well-being as well.
In this post, we'll explore the link between exercise and depression and delve into five potent ways that regular physical activity can help you on your journey to improved mental health.
by Tony Gjokaj August 13, 2023 5 min read
Depression Slayer,
Have you asked yourself why most people fail their diets?
A lot of it comes from extremes: huge diet restrictions, following a fad diet that's not prescribed to your body, and more.
Many of us go too extreme to the point of so much discomfort, which makes us actually fail rather quickly.
Most of the time, people stop their diets within 5 weeks.
So today, I wanted to shift your mindset towards nutrition.
In this post, we are going to go over 5 nutrition principles for success.
Let's dive in!