Depression is at an exponential rise in the U.S. and while the exact reason why remains a bit of a mystery, the available treatment options are clear.
Sure, there are plenty of antidepressant medications out there to choose from; however, pills aren’t the only solution when it comes to combating these symptoms.
Studies show that exercise is an all-natural measure you can take that sometimes works just as well as prescriptions and often comes along without the negative side effects.
Whether you’re currently struggling with feeling unmotivated or down, adding even a small amount of exercise to your lifestyle can go a long way.
Here are a few exercise benefits that you can easily incorporate into your life today, which go beyond just treating depression.
Approximately 14.8 million American adults are affected by some form of depression each year!
The thing is, this number could be drastically reduced if these people were to implement exercise into their daily lives.
Regular exercise promotes the release of endorphins.
Have you ever experienced “runner’s high”?
Well, endorphins play the lead role in this process. This buzz you feel as you undergo physical activity is from these “feel good” chemicals that your body excretes as you physically push yourself.
These same chemicals reduce the effects of depression and act as a way to naturally force yourself into a positive mindset.
Although this is a huge perk that comes along with exercising, the benefits don’t end there. Physical activity also comes paired with many other health benefits, such as protecting against heart disease and diabetes, improving sleep and lowering blood pressure.
Still, if that’s not enough motivation to pick up the weights, go for a run or simply take the dog for a walk around the block, then you should know that exercise also supports nerve cell growth and improves overall brain functionality.
Believe it or not, you can effectively use your body as a way to strengthen your mind!
So, what’s holding you back?
You don’t have to take up CrossFit or participate in the upcoming Ironman Triathlon to see these results. Simply setting aside 30-minutes a day to get yourself moving is all that’s necessary.
If you’ve been regularly following these monthly articles, then you already know that all-natural tends to be the best choice if you’re given the option.
And when it comes to treating depression, things are no different…
Antidepressant medications can sometimes cause unpleasant side effects, like nausea, weight gain and even insomnia, but taking the all-natural approach via exercise is a great way to skip out on these unwanted biproducts.
The only factors that usually tag along are sweat and a boost in positivity.
For these reasons, I encourage you to use regular exercise to your advantage. Even if you’re not battling depression, there are still many benefits to utilize by adding a degree of physical activity to your life.
