Question

Discussion topic: The Benefits of Exercise for the Clinically Depressed

A biological form of therapy is often overlooked. Does exercise benefit some people diagnosed with major depression?

Answer 1

There are many individual who suffers from depression. It is one of the most common reasons for illness and generally leads to disability. When an individual suffers from this type of illness they show various symptoms such as loss of mind, not able to concentrate, anxiety, self-depreciation, loss of appetite, remain sad.

There are various types of treatment (antidepressant, counseling, therapy, and change in their lifestyle) which is given to such individual. Primarily they receive care from their primary care providers where they are given pharmacological therapy.

We all are aware of the fact that exercise is good for our body. Hence it also helps in recovering or coming out from depression. There are studies been conducted which proves that by doing exercises, it helps in reducing depression slowly without any side effects. In of the study, they stated that by running for 15 minutes or walking for almost an hour can make the chance of having depression by 26%. If one continues his/her exercises daily, they reduce the chance of relapse.

Exercise it one of the powerful tool in fighting depression. There are various reason behind it which is as follows -

i) It brings about many changes in the brain such as neural growth, less inflammation, and some new activity pattern that helps in bringing clam as well as happiness in an individual.

ii) It releases endorphins which gives extra energy in our body and makes us feel good and energetic.

iii) It acts as a distraction i.e the time spent during exercise engages an individual into a task and does not get time to feel anything that is negative.

iv) Few studies state that by doing exercise, it increases the availability of certain neurotransmitter like serotonin and dopamine which helps in improving mood.

iv) It improves the sleeping pattern of an individual.

v) It lowers tension by reducing resting muscle activity potential.

Therefore, exercises helps in fighting depression and acts as a natural antidepressant.