Is running good for depression?

Is running good for depression?

According to studies cited by the American Anxiety and Depression Association, running and other vigorous exercise can reduce anxiety symptoms and help you relax. In some studies, running may work as well as anxiety-reducing drugs.


Yes, running can be very beneficial for people with depression. Studies have shown that regular physical activity can help reduce depressive symptoms and improve mood.

Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural chemicals in the brain that help reduce stress and improve overall mood. Additionally, running can be a good distraction from negative thoughts and help improve self-confidence.

Does running release endorphins?

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Yes, running releases endorphins, although endorphins are no longer considered the main cause of a runner’s high.

The transformation of my mental health

When I was twenty years old, I was a disaster. Do not work hard. I took things for granted, made bad decisions, ruined relationships, had no resilience or mental strength. I hated myself. The way I treated my mind and my body reflected that. In April 2011, I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital to receive treatment for my depression and anxiety. There I learned how important it is to deal with my illness. For me, treatment involves medication, regular therapy, and walking.

I was never really a runner. It was something he did «for fun» from time to time. I found neither purpose nor passion there. When I started running for my sanity, I couldn’t run a full mile without stopping multiple times. East. has been. Hard. I wanted to give up. But the sense of accomplishment I felt when I was done kept me going.

On the Rise

Any exercise that gets your heart rate up can help fight depression, but running is one of the quickest and easiest ways to get your heart rate up and keep it on track necessary. pump 30 minutes. Dr. Cripps says that exercise can help depressed people feel much better than talk therapies like psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. «However, the effect may be short-lived, so exercise should be part of a regular routine of at least three half-hour sessions three times a week,» he says, ideally combining exercise with counseling. Patients with more severe symptoms may need to exercise along with antidepressants.

Dr Cripps says the social element and boosting self-esteem through running is key to alleviating low moods, as research shows that feeling socially supported is another weapon in the fight against depression . So to maximize the wellness effect of running, join a club or train with friends or family. «Getting together and talking with other people can lift your spirits and ease depression, so that can be an important part of how exercise can help,» says Dr. Cripps.

Conclusion

Everyone can experience the mental and emotional benefits of running. In fact, «the psychological benefits of exercise are the same for all ages and even for people with severe mental disorders,» Cassiday explains.

As for my story… running evolved from a form of weight loss to a place of clarity and inner peace Now when I run, I look up and out instead of down and forward I focus on my breath, and how my body feels, when connected to my mind. And I wake up each day grateful to have an effective form of therapy that includes a pair of running shoes and a long stretch of road.

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