2017
Finger on the Pulse – Exercising to Boost Mood
Movement is one of the most effective ways to improve your mood, even and especially if you have depression.
Numerous studies have shown exercise to be as effective, or even more effective than, anti-depressant medication*. It also happens to be free, and its major side effects are all positives, (such as decreased blood pressure, weight maintenance, improved strength, better sleep, and more). And you get instant gratification!
When the general population is trying to maintain a regular movement program, they are usually doing so for reasons that exist in the future, such as: to avoid or manage heart disease, to lose or gain weight, to improve strength, to train for a marathon, to get a bikini body – none of these things happen the very first time you exercise. This means you need to remain committed to exercising even while you can’t see immediate progress towards your goal, which is hard and requires will power.
But when you commit to moving to improve your mood, the very first time you get moving, you feel better.
Some people have gotten to the point where when they start to feel really down, they actually crave exercise. We know that it gives our brain some relief from ruminative thinking (thinking repetitive, unhappy thoughts).
We know it gives us energy and motivation.
We know we will feel better, straight away.
So feeling lethargic, unmotivated and crappy, rather than being a reason to stay on the couch, actually becomes the very reason to get off the couch.
Live many people who have attended our Certificate III and IV in Fitness course, you too course learn the benefits of exercise. Just give us a call.