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Keeping active can be a great way of helping to manage depression, anxiety and stress

Clients often say to me that coming to my classes and more recently through Mummy Bootcamp @ Home, has helped them manage or beat their depression as well as helping them with their stress levels and anxiety.

There has been a fair bit of research on this topic:

  • Regular physical activity significantly reduces the risk of people developing depression. And people who don’t take part in physical activity are more likely to have depression symptoms compared to those who do.
  • Regular aerobic and strength-training activities of light or moderate intensity can result in up to a 50 per cent reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety, especially for women and older people.

Exercising can help to :

  • Lift your mood
  • Get a better night sleep
  • Give you more energy and feel less tired
  • Give you more of a positive frame of mind and distract you from any worries, negative thoughts you might have
  • increase your social contact with others

How does it help?

  • It pumps up your endorphins – the feel good hormones – Exercise helps to increase the production of your brains ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters, also known as endorphins. It has also been called ‘runners high’! But any exercise, swimming, hiking, playing a game of basketball will give you a similar effect.
  • Exercise can decrease the stress hormone ‘cortisol’
  • Have you ever tried boxing? It is a great way to get rid of your frustrations – it’s a great way to release any negative emotions in a positive, strengthening way while increasing your health & fitness
  • Meditation while on the move – after exercising you may find that you have forgotten what causes your stress, or what has been annoying you. With this, you may find that you can focus easier on tasks, giving you more energy and optimism, help you remain calm and clear about the things you do. It’s a great way to clear your mind, especially when exercising outdoors – usually low stress places – park, beach, mountains etc
  • Your mood will improve – it can increase the confidence you have in yourself and lower the symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. As mentioned above it can also help with improving your sleep.
  • It will help you lose weight, tone up and feel great about yourself. With this effect you will become more confident – a great stress reliever for anyone that is concerned with their appearance.
  • Research  as also suggested that those who get more exercise may become less affected by stress. So exercise may supply some immunity towards future stress as well as dealing with current stress. What a great way to get moving!
  • I think a good walk in the sunshine(soaking up the important Vitamin D) along with fresh air everyday is a must. Also good nutrition,we need it for our brain as well as body. I recently started Bach Remedies for anxiety which I have suffered for over a year and it has been an amazing difference.

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  • Thanks for posting. I have recently been diagnosed as having high stress & anxiety (not surprising) and getting back into the gym this week has made the world of difference…if I’ve only been once and it’s helped so much, I am very much looking forward to how I will feel after a few weeks & months of it! Get out there ladies, it definitely helps!

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  • Thanks Amanda – the human body is incredible at healing itself physically and chemically if we just know what to do. Getting active does wonders for our mental and physical health and can give us so much more enjoyment out of life by being able to live more “fully”.
    Now, I need to “just do it!”.
    I completely agree with others comments about not being ashamed to speak up about it. My mum and best friends both suffer from depression and have both found physical exercise as helpful as prescribed medication.

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  • I find it so difficult to find the time, but just going for a brisk walk makes me feel so good physically and mentally.

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  • I think that also surrounding yourself with positive people rather than negative people is very beneficial. Going for a walk can also feel good for me if I am in a negative frame of mind.

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  • Depression is a bitch. My hubby has battled it for 6 years, he is slowly winning the fight. I would like to add please don’t be afraid to seek medical advice, sometimes we all need a little help,

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  • I completely agree, when things get too much I go for a run and always feel so much better!

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  • I agree with this. Now I get out a walk with the girls even though it’s just to school or the local shops, I am feeling better within my self and less stressed and depressed about everything. Even my partner has noticed an improvement in my attitude.

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  • This is very true. After my brother died suddenly on Christmas Day 3 years ago I starting living in the gym. I’d be there in the mornings doing spin classes and back in the afternoons having PT sessions and doing more cardio and doing weight training. It was the only thing that kept my mind busy and from falling into a deep depression

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  • I totally agree to each and every word said in the article. Any form of physical activity ( walking , running, aeribics etc etc ) which raises our heart rate definitely release happy hormones in our body which keeps us away from depression and bad mood.

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  • Great advice! Maybe I should try exercise to help me have a better sleep at night and to have more energy throughout the day!

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  • I play badminton every Sunday. I feel great. It is time for myself.

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  • excercise and dail sun exposure even for 15 mins a day is def a blues killer. its so easy to get into a down cycle but it gets better

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  • Exercise keeps me sane at the best and worst of times!

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  • A great article.

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  • for the mums that have no time, google 5 min workouts, or check out you tube for exercise vids. I also hire free exercise
    DVDs from the library

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  • I am very lucky to have the group of friends that I do, they all helped me when I was feeling down over my relationship breakdown, and all thru my legal battle.

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  • I’m with Karina – finding the time is really hard especially when working fulltime. Starting exercising is the hardest step. Once you start however the benefits keep you going and all of a sudden it becomes easier to find the time. A ‘Catch 22’ situation – you have to start!

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  • Exercise is a wonderful thing but sadly not enough to combat depression, anxiety & stress for all mum’s & dad’s. If you or your partner are showing signs seek professional advice.
    http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=94
    http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=97

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  • I love the idea of exercise helping me loose weight and regain some sanity. The only problem I have is trying to find the time….. Any ideas????

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