4 Reason Exercise Helps Combat Depression

Feb 23, 20212 min read

Do you struggle with depression❓🙁 Unfortunately, it is a pretty common occurrence. And that is why I feel compelled to ask you.

It may look different in each of us but usually, it comes with:

- Low moods

- Frequent bouts of paralyzing fatigue and lack of motivation

- The bed, the couch, the house seem like better places to be than outdoors, around people, engaging in physical activities.

Not because deep down you do not enjoy other people, places and things to do but rather because you feel so low and do not have the energy for any of it

Trust me when I say, I get it ….

Been there and even stayed there for a very long time…. I’m talking no eating, nothing but sleeping and crying not even knowing why, isolating myself from those I loved most, laying around with no motivation or energy…. And at my very lowest I sure contemplated taking my own life due to my own feelings of worthlessness.

But I'm not there anymore

It took a lot of work rebuilding myself and that even included being medicated for my anxiety and my depression, but that was not going to be a life-long solution and I understood that. So I figured out how to cope through proper nutrition, exercise, and a strong mindset 💪 and made it a lifestyle🔑

There is no shame in this …. And the reason I MUST speak on it because so many of you are suffering in silence and I WANT you to know that someone out there understands you and is available for you!

I also want you to know …. That actually there is life AFTER, the light 🙌 at the end of the tunnel…. A better life on the other side….

Your life matters.

You have purpose.

You can make it past the pain.

So I at least want to have you thinking about exercise as part of your recovery and why.

Here is WHY exercise ⛹️‍♀️ is the way to go for YOU out there battling depression and possibly anxiety too‼️

1️⃣Exercise helps you release feel-good endorphins and other natural brain chemicals that can enhance your sense of well-being😁

2️⃣Exercise takes your mind off worries so you can get away from the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression and anxiety

3️⃣When you exercise you tend to set goals and challenges, meeting even the smallest ones can boost your self-confidence. And getting in shape will make you feel better about your appearance.

4️⃣Exercise allows you to cope in a healthy way because you are doing something positive. Trying to feel better by drinking alcohol, dwelling on how you feel, or hoping depression or anxiety will go away on its own just leads to an even darker place ….