Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottw
I think battling your depression through the physical challenge of getting in shape and attaining weight loss goals might be up your alley. I was struggling with a touch of depression as I work all the time, don't see my family enough and on top of it I was getting so out of shape that I wouldn't take my shirt off in front of myself. Tell you what, getting in shape helps me sleep better at night, wake up with no issues in the morning. The wife comments on how much she enjoys looking at me now and I have more energy to truly enjoy those limited times with the kids.
People do not change when we tell them they should; they change when their context tells them they must.
I think you need a change.
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I agree 100% with the above. I wasn't initially going to respond as each persons issues are there own and to assume what works for some will work for others is something I try not to do.
However, I have been medication free for over 6 months, and over the last 4 have felt even better than when on meds due to exercise. I like being in control of my own well being rather than relying on meds. Don't get me wrong I do not recommend doing anything without discussion with your doc but my personal experience is that changing my physical health and well being has had a direct correlation to my mental health and well being.
There are also some very good physiological reasons to lose weight and exercise.
Researchers have found that although antidepressants facilitate a more rabid therapeutic response than exercise; exercise was equally effective in reducing depression over periods of 16 weeks or more. Exercise helps the brain to build up a resistance to serotonin so the that the body doesn't tire as easily.
Some of the major benefits are
- People have reported that, when they exercise, can think more clearly, feel happy, feel better about themselves, lose weight, develop strength, and enjoy a sense of well-being.
- Exercise increased positive mood
- they sleep better
- have less nervousness and anxiety,
- Exercise decreased negative mood
- Exercise improved vigour
- Exercise is effective in reducing stress, anger, fatigue
- Many evidence proved that exercise plays a vital role in uplifting depression
- Exercise improved the motivation and self-esteem in the person
- Many people even report that they look and feel younger when they exercise regularly.
- Exercise may help in increasing the feelings of coherence
- Exercise increased the feelings of social integration
- An exercise and depression study in which participants walked daily for even weeks found that the decrease in depressive mood and the improvement in vigour continued after five months.
- Another exercise and depression study which compared exercise alone, medication alone, and exercise plus medication found lasting improvements after six months in participants who had exercised without medication.
- When the participants continued to exercise the on going improvement was even greater. This study concluded that medication may produce quicker relief but exercise yields more long term benefit.