No matter what the weather, there are times when you’re simply not your happy self. It’s even worse on rainy days or during the winter months, where the lack of sunshine can add to that downer you’re already experiencing. One simple thing you can do is get up and move. The brisker you move, the better it is. There are many studies that show aerobic exercise, like running, can improve your mood.
You may be anxious or depressed because of chronic stress.
Stress takes its toll on your body and can have a dramatic effect on your mental health, too. The body changes when there’s perceived danger and sends hormones out to prepare it to fight or run. If you don’t do either, those changes continue, leaving you with a sick feeling in the pit of your stomach and other unresolved physical issues, such as a rapid heart beat. By running, or doing some other form of aerobic exercise, you’re simulating the action the changes were meant to help and burn off the hormones of stress, allowing the body to return to normal.
Studies have shown that aerobic exercise can help lift your spirits.
More and more therapists are using exercise as adjunct therapy. In some cases, it’s prescribed instead of medication. There are a number of studies that show that doing aerobic exercise several times a week gets excellent results. It can be used with medication or instead of medication, to help with the problem of anxiety or depression. It burns off the hormones of stress and boosts the production of a hormone to help create new brain cells. Not only does that improve your mood, it improves the brain’s performance, helping memory in the process. It’s also used as an aid in treating mental decline and dementia.
Aerobic exercise, like running, is the best workout for depression, but other exercise helps, too.
If you’re working on strength-building, flexibility and aerobic exercises, you’ll also be improving your posture as you do. That improved posture not only makes you look more confident, it makes you feel more confident, too. That can be a real mood elevator. Feeling strong adds to that confidence and the feeling you can take on the world…and win. You’ll be amazed at how great you feel after you take on a well-rounded exercise program. You can start by running and add to it.
- When you workout, not only does it burn off stress hormones, it triggers the brain to create hormones that make you feel good. These mood elevating hormones add to the great feeling exercise brings.
- Whether you run, walk or workout with weights, having a workout partner helps. You’ll get the social interaction that is known to improve health and increase longevity, plus be held accountable for working out, while making it more fun.
- If your depression, anxiety or mood prevents you from doing everyday things or is severe and reoccurring, seek the help of a professional. Start with a health care professional, since depression may be a sign of physical illness.
- Not only will running or any other kind of exercise, lift your mood, it will also improve your overall health. It’s a great way to start a program of exercise that will boost your energy, lift your spirits and help make you look and feel years younger.
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