Depression and anxiety: exercise eases symptoms

Millions of people around the world are dealing with anxiety and depression, which are some of the most challenging mental health conditions. These conditions can lead to feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, worthlessness, and insecurity. However, the affected individuals can take advantage of exercises to ease the symptoms of these mental health conditions.

Although the relationship between exercise and these mental health issues is not completely understood, studies have suggested that exercise can alleviate the symptoms. This is especially true when exercises are combined with medications.

Let’s explain how exercise may help you when suffering from anxiety and depression.

How exercise helps a depressed and anxious mind
While people can only notice a depressed and anxious mind through physical manifestations, the process usually starts in the brain. Generally, depression is associated with a notable shrink in the thalamus, hypothalamus, front cortex, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and a few other parts of the brain. As a result of the shrink in these regions, you may start noticing challenges with the control of your emotions and moods.

Additionally, the flow of oxygen to the brain may also be affected when a person starts feeling depressed or anxious. In many cases, the symptoms of restlessness and confusion may also be noticed in the individual. Similarly, the brain may be inflamed; thereby, leading to a significant reduction in the functioning of the neurotransmitters. The deficiency of norepinephrine, dopamine and other chemicals may also lower your energy and motivation.

Fortunately, exercise could be a life-saving activity for people suffering from these problems. Exercises can help to deal with the symptoms of depression and anxiety in the following ways:

Nerve cell growth
When you exercise regularly, nerve cells in your brain will be encouraged to grow. Over time, the shrunk parts in the brain will return to their normal state.

Reduction in the inflammation in the brain
Exercises are also known to be capable of reducing the level of inflammation in the brain. As a consequence, there will be an increase in the production of the norepinephrine, serotonin, endorphin, and dopamine produced in the brain. As the number of these neurotransmitters increases, you will have better control over your moods and emotions. Additionally, you will gain more motivation and energy to deal with day-to-day activities that might have been weighing you down before. Hence, the symptoms of depression and anxiety will reduce.

Creation of new connections in the cortical regions
The cortical areas of the brain are responsible for the regulation of our personality, emotion, and perception of the world. So, when these cortical areas don’t have enough connections, you will experience depression and anxiety.
However, with regular exercises, new connections can be created in these cortical regions. Over time, the way you perceive the world and your emotions will be regulated in an improved manner. Therefore, it is not strange that the symptoms of anxiety and depression will be alleviated.

Improvement in self-confidence and self-worth
Generally, depression and anxiety are often linked to insecurity and worthlessness. These conditions lower your self-confidence as you may feel that no one cares about you or sees your worth. Luckily, exercises can be used to improve how you feel about yourself and your body. For instance, ab workouts can put you in a better shape; thus, ensuring that you look and feel better.

Once you have a great feeling about yourself and your body, you will have the mental capabilities to deal with all kinds of negative thoughts. When you don’t believe in such thoughts, your self-worth and self-confidence will experience a massive improvement.

Reduction of stress
When you deal with lots of stress for a long period, you are bound to encounter depression and anxiety. But you can utilize physical exercises to distract yourself from the challenges that are increasing your stress levels. Physical exercises will serve as an escape from the negative thoughts behind your anxious and depressed mind.
Therefore, if you are dealing with too much stress at work, school, and other areas, you should not hesitate to perform various exercises regularly. These exercises will make life more interesting and enjoyable for you.

The best exercises for easing the symptoms of depression and anxiety
Most physical exercises can come in handy for anyone that wants to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression. A few of the best exercises for this purpose include yoga, strength training, walking, running and swimming exercises; as well as other aerobic exercises such as jogging, biking, spinning, and rowing.

In conclusion, you should note that exercises don’t usually get rid of the symptoms of depression and anxiety overnight. Therefore, you must be consistent in exercising your body. Also, you may encounter numerous barriers and setbacks. However, you should focus on the benefits of exercise and keep trying until you achieve your goals.