Working out a way to chase those blues away

I’ve always been fascinated with the saying “Laughter is the best medicine.” Humor and laughter are associated with happiness and joy, feelings that contribute to mental and emotional well being. So what’s the next best thing to a good old laugh? Exercise, of course!

Any form of physical exercise – jogging, walking, aerobics, sports, swimming, cycling, weight training, yoga, tai chi and other relaxation techniques – is good, not just for your body, but also your soul. The solution to treating depression lies not in the bottles of anti-depressants prescribed by your shrink, but in the fitness regimen set for you by your personal trainer. Swap one for the other and you’ll see a marked difference, both in the way you feel and in the weight of your bank balance.

Exercises and work outs not only enhance your mood by reducing tension, anxiety and sadness, they also improve your confidence and self-esteem and help you deal with stress better. You don’t have to sweat it out for hours together to keep those blues away - a study conducted at the Duke University in Durham, North Carolina found that just 30 minutes of exercise every day was enough to overcome depression. Continued exercise and fitness workouts contribute to preventing depression and keeping you mentally fit.

So what’s the connection between the muscles in your body and the cells in your brain that rule your emotions? Why do your anxiety and stress levels decrease when you’ve had a good workout?

• When you exercise, the body naturally releases endorphins, a feel-good chemical that tells the brain to feel happy. Endorphins are your body’s natural painkillers.

• Exercising increases your energy levels which helps you sleep better, and as a result, keep away depression and anxiety.

• Relaxation techniques like yoga and tai chi provide time for introspection and help you achieve focus and inner peace.

• Playing a sport that involves more than one person lets you bond with the rest of your teammates and induces a sense of belonging and well-being.

• Exercise routines, when maintained regularly over a certain period of time, lead to weight loss and improved fitness. Looking good contributes significantly to feeling good about yourself and carrying yourself confidently.

• Once you feel the scales beginning to reflect your efforts at the gym or the jogging track, you automatically wish to maintain the figure you discovered hidden beneath all that flab. This will push you to switch to a healthy diet that helps you stay slim and fit. Eating food that is low in fat and high in protein makes you feel good about yourself as opposed to binging on junk food when you’re depressed and feeling worse once the deed is done.

Happy exercising!

This article is contributed by Sarah Scrafford, who regularly writes on the topic of Care Plans. She invites your questions and writing job opportunities at her personal email address: sarah.scrafford25@gmail.com.