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How to Treat Depression with Exercise 

5 Stellar Benefits

Yes, there is a way out of this black, seemingly bottomless hole when you’re in it: treat depression with exercise.
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Depression can be debilitating. It is a very tough journey and the real heroes are those who motivate themselves to combat their depression. However, in the end, it pays you off by giving you a healthy and happy life you want to cherish.
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If you feel depressed constantly and  are not motivated or productive at all, the very first thing you do is to get some movement into your life.
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Do any exercise: swim, cycle, or even something simple like taking a walk break or stretching your neck while at work in the office.
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Movement produces dopamine which will help counteract your depressive state. This is the very first way to treat depression with exercise.

The second thing to do is to visit a natural health therapist. This professional may recommend you one or other natural remedies or  to help alleviate your depressive moments.
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There is much research that shows the benefits of treating depression with exercise. Exercise has the same effect on the brain as medical marijuana for depression. (Medical marijuana is a highly effective drug used to treat depression, anxiety, stress and a large number of other mental ailments as well)
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In this article, we will be taking you through the whole journey of the benefits of treating depression with exercise. This article is mainly for people who have already embarked on the journey to recovery from this debilitating ailment.
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We will address the common problems faced by people undergoing depression and depression recovery.

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The Signs and States of Depression

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If you have suffered from depression before or are doing so now, the first thing you must have noticed is a lack of motivation to do anything at all. You probably feel numb and cannot bring yourself to do much at all.
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People who are recovering from depression using medicine don’t do perfectly well either. Many types of anti-depressants cause people to sleep a lot.
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People recovering from depression spend a vast part of their lives sleeping on their beds. Even when they are awake, they hardly have any energy to get things done because the medicines make them so tired. They cannot possibly even entertain the thought of lifting up their finger let alone taking up an activity that is as demanding as exercise.
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Many people who are recovering from depression wish to get rid of this terrible illness, but their medication usually prevents them from getting anything done.
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How Do You Start to Treat Depression with Exercise?

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You must always start slowly. Exercise for recovery DOES NOT MEAN long hours of sweating at the gym or hectic, demanding, lengthy exercises. Not at all.
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To treat depression with exercise can be doing something as simple as a short walk on the beach. If you have a garden, a terrace or a lawn, you can walk there. Or take a walk around the block.
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Make strategies for yourself that help you with exercising a few minutes every day. For example, you can set the alarm for a time that you are free in and utilize that time by going to a short walk or doing a quick warm-up and a few push-ups.
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You don’t have to go out of your way and take out time for this little bout of exercise. You can get just to it while doing chores or if you have a free moment.
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Types of Beneficial Exercises

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All kinds of physical training are excellent for people with depression. Each type of exercise has its own merits.
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For example, if you are the kind of person who likes to work up a sweat at the gym, you can benefit by flushing out all the toxins and drug residues from your system.
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If you prefer a more gentle and peaceful approach, you can do Yoga and meditation to balance the mind and body connection.
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Yoga is highly beneficial for people with stress and depression mainly because it helps you meditate. There are many postures in Yoga that assist in stabilizing your breathing as well. Research has shown that breathing exercise can help a person cope with the depression and anxiety in their minds.
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You can even join a sports complex and play any sport of your choice. Games are great because you get all the physical exercise you need, you stay active and healthy, and it is a fun activity as well.
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Another fantastic thing about sports is that there are very few that you can play alone. Most of it is competition, and you need other people to join you.
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When you play sports with other people, you end up enjoying and having a good time. Even people recovering from depression can take some time out to play sports and have a good time once in a while!
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The 5 Best Benefits When You Treat Depression with Exercise
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1. The Hormonal Effects

We are all educated enough by now to understand that depression is not a simple state of mind. Depressed people nearly always have some hormonal imbalance in their bodies. They have higher levels of stress hormones like cortisol in their bodies which make the simplest tasks seem daunting to them.
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Exercising frequently is known for stabilizing our hormones and releasing favorable hormones in the body as well.
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For example, exercising releases endorphins in the body. Endorphins are the happy, feel-good hormones in our body. They are responsible for helping us feel comfortable..
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Exercising also helps in utilizing the cortisol and adrenaline that is pent up in a depressed person’s body. The hormones all regulate in a manner that helps us feel less depressed. Some people even say that exercise has a drug-like effect on their minds if they do it regularly.
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2. Better Blood Circulation

Depressed people also find it very tough to get anything physical done. People who are recovering from depression have it worse because of the prescription medications given by their doctors.
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They are so tired all the time that they cannot seem to get anything done. Because these people spend a considerable part of their day being inactive, their blood circulation naturally starts to suffer.
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Exercising increases your heart rate, which gets your blood pumping better. When your blood circulation increases, you make the job of your organs easier. Your organs then receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients they need to perform start performing optimally.
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Improved blood circulation feeds your brain with oxygen so it starts to function better. Your mind opens up, and you can think more clearly about everything that is happening in your life.
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Better blood circulation in your body is also helpful for your skin. Being active will clear up blemishes on your skin so you can look more radiant. Additionally, when you see a bright and glowing person staring back at you in your mirror, you will feel better and your depression will start to lift.
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3. Improved Self-Confidence and Feeling Happier

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We have already mentioned how depressed people are oftentimes inactive. This inactivity makes their physical appearance suffer as well. People often feel discouraged and sad when they are unhappy with their looks, no matter how pretty or handsome or charming they are.
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Exercising is also a fun activity for many people. When you engage in activities you like, your mind is automatically moves away from any negativity. When you treat depression with exercise, you also begin to lose accumulated weight. Your body starts to tone, and you obtain a sexy figure.
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If you do want to look your best, you should try a mix of cardio exercises and resistance training for the best possible effects. When you see yourself at your best, your self-confidence gets a sufficient boost for getting through the day.
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If you go to the gym or play sports to get your daily dose of exercise, you can end up meeting new people and making friends. Interacting with other people is also a fantastic way to keep depressing thoughts out of your head.
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4. Better Metabolism and Weight Loss 

Exercising also helps by improving your metabolism. A higher metabolic rate together with better blood flow can help you lose any excess accumulated weight piled on during your depressive moments.
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Positive result from getting slimmer can lift your mood and halt the flow of depressing thoughts.

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5. Reduced Incidences of Degenerative Diseases

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Depressed people are also more prone to diseases than mentally-healthy people. It’s the mind-body connection. When you’re depressed, the rest of the body will naturally suffer too.
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When you exercise, your immune system performs better. Additionally, because exercise increases the transport of oxygen through better blood flow, your incidences of developing degenerative diseases decrease.
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Furthermore, feeling better due to increased ‘feel-good’ dopamine hormones will help decrease the desire to binge on carbs and sugar. This will decrease the incidences of developing sugar-related diseases like diabetes, cancer and cardio-vascular / heart problems.
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The key to keeping depression at bay is a consistent fitness routine – consistency is really the key and the name of the game.

Article by James Martin
james.martin@afreakengineer.com
James is currently a final-year student of English Literature. Passionate about writing, James writes in his leisure time while completing his studies. He regularly contributes to https://cannabismo.ca/

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 Share with us below your experience of depression. How did you treat it?
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