More and more doctors nowadays are referring their clients to try exercise in their quest to curing depression. Anything that avoids having to take medication is a step in the right direction in my opinion.
Exercise releases endorphins, a chemical that makes you feel good, in your brain. As well, exercise counters isolation, which fuels depression in itself, as you get out there and interact with others. So many people live in isolation in big cities, it’s quite ironic. Such a mass of people in a small area, yet, so much loneliness. Being around people helps, because we are social animals by nature.
Exercise also helps with self esteem issues, as the more activity you do, the better you will end up looking. The key is in starting small. Nothing complicated, just get your feet wet at first. As well, a peer or someone that motivates you to keep going would be a priceless asset to have. You want to create momentum, and then ride that wave as far as possible so that it becomes routine.
22% (compared to 5% 3 years ago) referrals to exercise for treatment of depression is a huge increase. Finally, the medical community is realizing that there are natural ways to cure such issues without having to resort to pills. Exercise takes care of so many things at once: depression, weight issues, isolation, confidence, strength, and the list goes on and on. It should be a no-brainer, and hopefully within the next decade, the majority of the population will fully understand the tremendous place that exercise needs to have in everyone’s life.
