Feeling depressed? Exercising will help elevate your mood.
I know, I know. When you are depressed you don't FEEL like exercising. Rule-of-thumb: the things you don't feel like doing when you are depressed are probably the very things you need to start doing, to help pull you out of your depression.
According to Michael Otto, PhD, at Boston University, "The link between exercise and mood is pretty strong. Usually within five minutes after moderate exercise you get a mood-enhancement effect... active people are less depressed than inactive people." (Monitor on Psychology, December 2011)
Why? We suspect that there are both physical and cognitive reasons.
Exercise increases serotonin (a neurotransmitter that elevates mood), fights neurotropia (by supporting the growth of neurons), and helps normalize sleep. Beginning to exercise boosts a person's outlook by being a step toward meaningful activities and a sense of accomplishment.
Start slowly, add a small amount of exercise at first. As you finish each session look in the mirror and say to yourself, "Ata boy! Well done!"
January 16, 2012
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I completely agree with this article. Excerising is healthy and whenever I start to feel healthy and feel motivated, I feel more happy. Excerising is a major confidence booster because people will fell accomplished. The end results are always good as well. Self-esteem goes up and your a better person because of it.
ReplyDeleteHeather Johnson 11:10 class
A year ago I started working out on a regular basis and I notice how I felt better and had more energy. I have several articles that say working out is the best stress buster their is.
ReplyDeleteBrandy Hoyt
General Psychology
MWF 11:10 AM
I have to agree with this theory. It always makes you feel better to know that you are taking care of yourself. i also have to say that it did make me feel more energized, less depressed, and more social.If you feel good you tend to carry yourself with more confidence.
ReplyDeleteShawna Carrier
MWF 12:10
General Psychology
True! I believe this study due to how our acts affect us. Also, the notion that to get out of depression is to face and do the things that makes us depressed is like conquering our deepest fear and we need to give attention to emotional support that most depressed people need. We need to remember Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs that a healthy person requires to achieve holistic health.
ReplyDeleteKelvin Duke Gomez
MWF 11:10
Gen. Psych
releasing those good endorphins is the best mood booster there is! I agree that exercising knocks out depression because of the benefits. Taking care of your body can change your whole perspective on life in a positive way and builds confidence which most depressed people lack.
ReplyDeleteLauryn E Alexander
MWF 12:10
General Psychology
I agree with this, working out is great for alot of thing and improving your mood is just one of the many. It is awesome that it can improve your mood as well as get you fit and in shape.
ReplyDeleteSkye Norwood
MWF 12:10
General Psychology
I agree very strongly with this blog. When i exercise i feel a lot better about myself. I feel very accomplished and motivated to where i don't feel depressed.
ReplyDeleteErin Farmer
MWF 10:10
Personality Psyc
When you exercise you feel so much better it give you a better out look on life.
ReplyDeleteThe body need exercise to keep you younger. You don't find to many depressed people
at the gym. (Rozella Hubert General Psych 12:10)
I also agree. At one time I was a very active person, recently I have stoppped Exercising the way I used to and it not only lets my pysically drain faster but cognitively and emotionally I get drained faster. This has made me want to pick up my old good habits again and was a reason for my 2012 resolution to get healtier.
ReplyDeletePatricia Gilliland
MWF 10:10
Personality psych
I have to say I agree too... I know that I feel alot better when Im working out at the gym regularly.It gives me more energy,better sleep and It inspires me to make other healthier choices in my life as well.
ReplyDeleteMichelle Riemer
MWF 9:10 Social psych
Very true. Whenever I'm feeling down, working out always makes me feel better. While I'm working out, I think "Hey, I'm working towards bettering myself. Why am I sad?" and boom, bad mood gone just like that.
ReplyDeleteCody Bukowski
MWF 12:10
General Psychology
That is so true. When you get depressed you just want to lay around the house and do nothing. But as soon as you start to move around, you get a boost of energy. I know because I have had my share of depressed days where I have had to make myself get out of bed and get moving.
ReplyDeleteMichelle Knight
11:10 MWF
General Psychology
Most people gain confidence when they start to work out because they feel they have accomplished something. Also the more in shape they are the more active they are and sociable.
ReplyDeleteJustin Moore 12:10 mwf
Most depressed people if they just sit around and do nothing tend to say in the same old slump. As a kid growing up when we were sick or just feeling bad our mother would tell us to get up and take and bah and put on some nice cloths it will make you feel better and you know what she was right. So if doing something other than laying around when your depressed will make you feel better about yourselves I say work till you sweat.
ReplyDeleteMost depressed people if they just sit around and do nothing tend to say in the same old slump. As a kid growing up when we were sick or just feeling bad our mother would tell us to get up and take and bah and put on some nice cloths it will make you feel better and you know what she was right. So if doing something other than laying around when your depressed will make you feel better about yourselves I say work till you sweat.
ReplyDeleteShirley Holmes Social Psych
MWF Warner Campus Sorry Dr. Grady I had to repost because I forgot to sign my name to the earlier comment