Fight Depression With Strength Training.
Major depression is the No.1 psychological (mental) disorder in the western world. It is growing in all age groups with up to 20% of people experiencing it. At the rate of increase by 2020 it will be the 2nd most disabling condition in the world. Today over 17 million people in the US, which includes 13% of teenagers and 3% of children under thirteen, are currently on Prozac, the second most commonly prescribed drug.
Depression is a huge problem and the burden on society is incredible with an estimated cost in the US alone of more than $40 billion dollars per year, and an annual loss of two hundred million work hours. The human cost is high too with suicide being the 8th leading cause of death.
Depression is a universally understood condition of sadness and low spirits, life has lost its luster and doom and gloom prevails. We all experience some sadness as part of weathering life’s misfortunes and have periods of being down in the dumps. Most people normally recover from such low points and carry on, however, some people don’t recover from life’s setbacks.
Mental Health: Exercise Is Found Not to Affect Depression.
[...]Many people are sure that exercise improves their mood, and studies have suggested that exercise is almost as effective as antidepressants in relieving symptoms of depression. But a new study has found that even though people who exercise are less likely to be depressed or anxious, it is probably not because they exercise.
Dutch researchers studied 5,952 twins from the Netherlands Twins Registry, as well as 1,357 additional siblings and 1,249 parents, all 18 to 50 years old. They recorded survey data about the frequency and duration of exercise and used well-validated scales to uncover symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study was published Monday in The Archives of General Psychiatry[...]
It is only recently that research has begun to uncover the link and the importance between physical activity and mental health with inactive or sedentary people having twice the risk of becoming depressed. We all know that exercising routinely provides a number of important benefits like promoting cardiovascular (heart/lung) health, lowering blood pressure, keeping bones strong, improving muscle tone and strength, and of course, a proper exercise regimen can energize you and help reduce excess body fat.
But did you know that exercise has yet another benefit that can make your life a whole lot better? Several hundred studies have analyzed the effect of exercise on depression and found that exercise can increase self-esteem, improve mood, reduce anxiety levels, increase the ability to handle stress, and improve sleep patterns.
Yoga: An Alternative Treatment for Depression.
[...]Feeling depressed or down? Don’t automatically reach for an anti-depressant. Do some yoga. These days, the typical treatment for depression comes in the form of a pill, which can often lead to serious side effects and dependency. Prior to modern drug companies, however, sages from the East discovered a method of calming the mind and soothing the spirit. These physical exercises, called “asanas,” are what modern Westerners typically think of when they hear the term “yoga.”
The roots of yoga date back tens of thousands of years. Yoga, in the grander sense of the word, is not just physical exercise. It is more than asanas. It consists of an entire philosophy and prescription for emotional and spiritual well-being.
Yoga asanas (or postures) were developed to prepare the body and mind for long periods of meditation. Ancient yogis believed that it was difficult to reach heights of spiritual awareness with a body that was suffering from ill health. The mind also needed to become calm and serene, and this was accomplished through the physical practice of asana.[...]
A proper exercise program that includes strength training exercise provides similar improvements in depression as anti-depressant medications but without negative side effects. Strength training can be very therapeutic providing a very useful treatment for depression. Newly released studies show that after a strength training session, endorphin levels (feel good hormones) are increased by more than 60 percent leaving you feeling rejuvenated and even euphoric, keeping your mind trouble-free.
When people suffering from depression participate in strength training programs, their self-confidence and self-esteem improve, which has a strong impact on their overall quality of life If you have never exercised before, learning an exercise program can be considered a new skill. Many people experience a mood boost and increased energy levels when they’ve mastered a new skill or talent. This can provide a sense of accomplishment and achievement which counters the effect of depression.
Even a modest exercise program of 30 minutes a day, three days a week is an effective weapon for combating depression and the benefits of such a program are likely to be permanent for individuals who adopt exercise as a regular, ongoing life activity.
Just as you get more energy exercising you also get happier, have a better outlook on life, have more vitality and enjoy life more. You will feel good and have an effective weapon to fight the blues.
Carolyn Hansen has worked in the Fitness Industry for over 30 years. Currently the co-owner of 2 Fitness Centres in Northland New Zealand. A National Champion Bodybuilder with over 25 years competition experience. Enjoys writing health and fitness articles for local newspapers and magazines. If you want a second chance to right the wrongs you have committed against your body, you can be rejuvenated. You can regain vitality, muscular strength, endurance and a higher quality of life. Go to http://www.over50looking30.com for a FREE Report “I’ve Found the Fountain of Youth”- Let Me Show You Too!
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