Overcoming Depression My Journey: #3 Exercises Role
Overcoming Depression Is Possible!!
At least in my experience it was, and exercise played a BIG Role.
As a teen I was diagnosed with clinical depression and medicated for 18 years of my life. I didn’t ever think I would know what life was like without being dependent on a medicine to control my mood. In fact I was told multiple times to give up the thought, and face the reality of what my life was going to be like. Dependent upon anti-depressants and forever increasing the dosage and strength of the medicines as my condition got worse.
For Real Y’all! Like That Was My Reality!!
I had grown okay with this future, but I wasn’t okay with the legacy I was leaving for my family as I was overweight and very out of shape. It brought tears to my eyes barely being able to squeeze into a size 18, and knowing that diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease were well on their way for my future.
How could I knowingly put that burden in my children’s life?
So I made a change. I began to be more active. It started out with me borrowing my neighbors beautiful bull mastiff. She was so much fun to walk. I loved watching her look around and enjoy her time outside with nature. It made the walks feel more purposeful than just me getting exercise. What I did notice though was on those days after walking 3 or so miles that I was in a happier place mentally and emotionally. I was tired from being super out of shape, but the remainder of that day was better. That being said though I didn’t always have 45 minutes everyday. I couldn’t always borrow my neighbors dog, and the weather wasn’t always conducive to be outdoors.
I Found Other Programs to do at home.
Again, I ran into not having enough time or getting bored with the programs. It wasn’t until I found a program that only took me 10 minutes a day, 15 with the warm up and cool down, that I realized the real mental effect that exercise had on my emotional state. When I could mentally and emotionally feel happiness from just 15 minutes of work a day I WAS HOOKED!! I Never Looked Back.
From that program forward I committed to exercising for at least 15 minutes 6 days a week. Honestly, Why Wouldn’t I?? Depression freaking sucks and I had found the magic pill No One was talking about.
As I got stronger physically I increased the amount of time I would exercise, but no matter what I got in at least those 15 minutes. It was the least I could do to be the best ME I could Mentally, Emotionally and Physically be for myself and my family.
Now That I’ve Shared All This You May Think It’s a Fluke
No it’s not. There is science behind what happened to me and how I felt after working out. When you workout, increasing your heart rate, for as little as just 10 minutes a day it produces endorphins, “feel good” hormones in your body. It also chemically changes your brain by increasing the levels of dopamine and serotonin, which make us feel calm and happy. Studies show after regular physical activity depression sufferers feel less tired, tense, and angry. Even those, like me, who deal with anxiety noticed signs of less stress and worry as the serotonin and dopamine naturally curbed the “fight or flight” instinct that plagues us in our darker hours.
What I experienced was the bodies natural reaction,
and I just stumbled upon it without knowing the long term benefits. My hope in sharing this is to bring awareness to the natural effect that exercise can have on your emotional and mental well being. Exercise can be an excellent addition to what you’re currently doing to battle depression or anxiety.
Again, I stress to you that this is MY JOURNEY. I’m Not a Physician and would NOT suggest to make any changes without consulting a physician to your plan. I’m merely sharing my journey and things that have shown benefits for me.
Please do NOT make any changes to your medication without consulting your physician first.
If you have any questions please comment below or send me a message.
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