“I don’t want to take an antidepressant, “ is something I hear often in my office. I agree with this. Antidepressants have a place if someone is so depressed they can’t get out of bed, are missing a lot of work due to depression, or are actively suicidal. These are times I highly recommend seeing a medical Doctor for a medication.
When I see people who are moderately depressed or anxious but don’t want to take a medication to treat it I highly recommend working on healthier lifestyle with exercise being a key ingredient.
Boost Your Serotonin
We all know and we all hear that exercise is good for so many reasons. It actually makes us feel better! But, did you know that exercise can actually help treat depression, anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia? Exercise also is a wonderful, healthy coping skill to manage stress, sadness, anger, and can improve our self esteem? Exercise is a great add-on for therapy in the treatment of mental health issues and mental illness.
Serotonin is a chemical neurotransmitter that plays a big role in our body functions; including sleep, moods, digestion, wound healing, and sexual desire. When we are depressed our Serotonin levels are decreased. When we take an antidepressant it boosts our Serotonin levels. Studies show that regular exercise does the same thing. Exercise also boosts our Serotonin levels! When our Serotonin levels go up so does our self esteem, our level of pleasure, our ability to cope with stress and to manage fatigue.
Move Your Body for 30 Minutes a Day
Are you saying, “I don’t have time to exercise?” I hear this all the time. If we want to make time for exercising we will. Dancing in your living room or in your kitchen is a wonderful form of exercise that can involve the kids too. If you have a dog start walking it regularly. The dog will thank you and so will your Serotonin levels!
Put exercise on your calendar so you have it planned. Find a walking or running buddy. Join a group fitness class. Wake up 30 minutes earlier and take an exercise class. I have found a plethora of exercise videos on You Tube for when I can’t make it to a class.
Studies also show when we get outside and exercise our levels of mental illness and mental health issues go down. We find more pleasure and joy. Our self esteem gets a boost and we can find peace.
Achieving 30 minutes of movement, a day, is good. Achieving 60 minutes of exercise a day is fabulous! The total amount of exercise time can be accumulated throughout the day. Try to take the stairs instead of the elevator, park farther away than you normally would and walk, count your steps on a health app and attempt to work up to 10,000 steps a day.
Incorporating exercise into your daily routine can have a profound impact on your mental health. Whether you’re managing stress, boosting your mood, or simply seeking a healthier lifestyle, movement is a powerful tool. Start small, stay consistent, and remember that every step counts. Your mind and body will thank you for it. I am encouraging you to get out and start moving today!
If you’re ready to start your journey to improve your mental health, contact me today to schedule your first appointment!
In Kindness,
MM