20/04/2021
5 Top exercises to beat depression
Zumba
Zumba combines two things that are scientifically proven to help relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. Those things are exercise and music. The movement is rhythmical and makes you focus completely on what you are doing - you can not think about being depressed when you are focused. It raises your serotonin and endorphin levels and that makes you feel good.
Yoga
Some studies have found that yoga is just as effective as antidepressants in reducing symptoms of depression. Yoga helps you to halt in over thinking things (rumination) as you are being asked to focus on your breath and your posture. Many of the yoga poses are known to boost your mood and help reduce the symptoms of depression. As with Zumba the music is powerful and can be relaxing.
Weight training
Weight training takes focus and dedication, depression does not like either if those. The more consistent and focused we become to a regular routine, the less time we have to over thiking. Weight training is hard, but that’s the point of it. You cannot be thinking about anything else when you are about to lift 10kg dumbells above your head. Also, as you start to see your body develop and change this boosts the feel good hormones to your brain and pushes you to do more.
Running
Running is a great treatment for depression, but I am not going sit here and tell you it is easy to do when you are depressed. It isn’t! However, if you can muster up the energy to just run for 15-20 minutes 5 times a week you will raise your endorphins and really start on the road to beating depression. Runners high is a real thing, post run you will get a rush of endorphins which make you feel amazing and you will also have achieved something new.
Walking
Walking is rhythmic and continuous and great for beating depression. The only thing is, it can give you time to over think. For me I would over think and get quite low at the beginning of a walk. However the more I moved forward the more my thoughts would change to be more positive and often I would even find the answers to my thoughts and calm my mind. Walking is the best medicine for a panic attack and anxiety as the motion of moving forward tends to take you through your state of mind. Of course, it also releases endorphins which make you naturally feel good!.
Depression is real, debilitating and you get stuck. Exercises that require a rhythm help the body to regulate. Exercises where you need to focus takes you out of your head space and over time that feeling of not being stuck will stick – it may take time and perseverance – but achieving goals helps lift you out of depression – you feel good about yourself that you are doing something positive.
This is the natural way of beating depression.
Disclaimer: this is not in replacement of dr’s advice – if you wish to come off medication or take medication then your gp or specialist need to be spoken with for advice.
