It can be difficult to do most things in life when you are suffering from depression, let alone exercise. But exercise may be the very thing to bring you out of that dark hole.
I have endured depression for most of my life. For me it is a byproduct of PTSD and BPD. I have run the gambit when it comes to antidepressants. None of them did much except increase my depression and added a few darker issues to be concerned with. So, I had to find a way to deal with my depression when it rears its ugly head. I discovered EXERCISE. I know, seems simple. And it is. Let’s see how exercise can reduce and even get rid of depression.
Exercise can be a powerful tool in managing depression symptoms. Here are some specific ways it helps:
Releases Endorphins: Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, which are natural brain chemicals that improve your sense of well-being.
Reduces Negative Thoughts: Exercise can take your mind off worries and break the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression.
Improves Mood: Regular exercise increases the levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which help regulate mood.
Boosts Self-Esteem: Achieving exercise goals, no matter how small, can boost your self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Enhances Sleep: Better sleep patterns are often a result of regular physical activity, which can help reduce symptoms of depression.
Provides Social Interaction: Group exercises or sports can offer social interaction, reducing feelings of isolation.
STRENGTH TRAINING = ANTIDEPRESSANT
Strength training is literally an antidepressant. When a muscle is stimulated by contraction, worked, put under tension, etc. they release proteins into the blood stream that ward off stress and depression. These proteins are called Actin and Myosin. Actin and myosin, primarily known for their roles in muscle contraction, also play significant roles in neuronal functions that can influence depression.
Actin is involved in various cellular processes, including exocytosis and endocytosis, which are crucial for neurotransmitter release and recycling in neurons. Proper functioning of these processes is essential for maintaining synaptic transmission and preventing synaptic depression, which can contribute to mood disorders.
Myosin, particularly non-muscle myosin II, is involved in the regulation of neuron sensitivity to neurotransmitters like acetylcholine. Disruptions in myosin function can affect the endocytosis and exocytosis of cholinoreceptors, leading to changes in neuron sensitivity and potentially contributing to depressive symptoms.
These cytoskeletal proteins are integral to maintaining the balance and efficiency of synaptic transmission, and their dysfunction can have implications for mental health.
It may be difficult to begin. Just take one step at a time. Then commit. Soon depression will be rare.
Take that first step and contact me today. Let me help you feel better.
-Will
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