We all know that we should exercise. We hear it all the time. It’s good for our heart, lungs, muscles, and bones. But the part we don’t often talk about/hear about is how exercise supports mental health.
The simple truth is we feel better both physically and mentally when we exercise.
Exercise for Anxiety Relief
There is a part of the brain that sends anxiety signals to the other parts of your brain. This part of the brain triggers your fight-or-flight response. In therapy, we use approaches that help to calm and even shrink this part of the brain. Exercise also helps shrink this part of the brain that is sending the unnecessary distress signals!
The other way exercise can be helpful in managing anxiety is to manage the fight-or-flight response. Often this response gets turned on when fighting or running is not required. That big meeting at your office tomorrow? Running or fighting is probably not an option. But yet your brain thinks that’s exactly what you should be doing! That’s because for so much of human history that was the response needed in stressful situations. A wild animal approaching you in the woods? Better fight or run!
When we exercise while stressed or anxious it sends the message to the brain that we did take care of it. Brain says run? Ok, take jog on a treadmill! Or bike a few miles on the stationary bike or on the bike trail. It closes the loop in your brain and its easier to relax.
Exercise for Reducing Depression
Exercise can help manage depression. In fact, studies have shown that regular exercise can be as effective as an anti-depressant. I will say it again, EXERCISE CAN BE AS EFFECTIVE AS AN ANTI-DEPRESSANT. We should talk about this more!
The reason you don’t hear about this more is that often times the idea of exercise is hard. Its hard to motivate in the beginning and start a new routine. This is especially true when struggling with depression. Depression makes it hard to motivate and to want to take positive actions. This is because depression takes a toll on our energy level and our ability to see the possibility of it being truly helpful.
We also live in society that looks for the quick easy fix and medication is often seen as that. But often times individuals don’t want to be on medication or want to be on medication long term. Exercise can be a great natural approach for managing mild depression or to prevent depression relapse.
Medication is effective. Counseling is also effective. Combining the two gets even better results. Add in some exercise and you just might feel like a new person!
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Charlotte, NC
Theresa Leskowat MS LCMHC is a cognitive behavioral therapist in the Diworth area of Charlotte, NC. Theresa provides therapy for anxiety relief, depression relief, managing perfectionism and trauma.