Using Exercise to Recover from Depression

Everyone knows that even with small amounts of exercise that our body produces endorphins that make us feel better. But there are more reasons then just "runner's high" to use exercise to recover from and even ward off depression:

If you can exercise away from your normal areas of living; it opens up new avenues for mental input as well as physical change. Even if you jog the exact same path every day; that path is different somehow, each day. And if you go to the gym, same thing, that gym is different every single day.

When you are moving your body, you are doing something that you can somewhat control. This helps you feel that even if some things in your life are out of your control, you can still take this action and have some control.

Look up. Well, not literally, but I have to admit when I am depressed my posture, my demeanor; my whole being is slumped and slouched. At least when you are exercising you are up and around, not down in the dumps so to speak.

Mind over matter. Sometimes your thoughts just need a break, and exercising takes your mind off your troubles for awhile. This will lighten your load and hopefully give you a better perspective to return to your normal activities with.

Scheduling exercise into your plans gives you goals to achieve, something to strive for. It can also be a very healthy way to pass the time until you feel like getting more involved in your normal activities again. Set small goals at first and then try a little harder so that you are pushing yourself just a bit more each time.

Overall, it makes you feel good. It will give you some much needed energy. It really makes you feel like you are doing something healthy instead of counter productive habits that deplete you, in the end you have spent your time replenishing your being not hurting yourself further.

In summary: it can be hard to think about exercising when you are depressed, or down for the count for whatever reason. But, the rewards are immense if you can just get into some kind of a routine to start, it will feel like second nature to you and while it may not initially feel like it's helping; it is. So, keep this in mind when you don't think it is going to do any good to even try, please, try just one more time and then one more time after that . . .