Exercise: The most under used anti-depressant

So…. as we come to the end of the first month of a new year, where do you feel that you are?

Are you smashing those new year’s goals?

Keeping up with the new eating regime?

Getting in your weekly quota of exercise?

Or have you fallen by the way side a little bit?

Yet to get started?

Lost motivation already?

This can happen because of a few different things such as the goals you set just aren’t quite exiting enough, your daily routine makes it tough to fit in regular exercise, or you’re just getting started a little later this year.

For some people, it is a very tough time of year.

The dark days and cold weather can make it very difficult to get up early in the morning to hit the gym before work, it may affect your motivation so socialise, and can severely affect your mood.

This time of year can be very hard for someone who suffers with depression or anxiety. They will shut themselves away from people whereas a lot of people will be out working towards their goals, attending nights out and socialising.

People who suffer with these conditions may be seeing a therapist or counsellor to help talk through problems, some may be on medication also.

There are many different ways of helping with depression.

One of the most under used anti-depressant, is exercise.

I believe a combination of humanistic therapy (counselling) and becoming involved in an exercise programme, will help accelerate an individual into beating this horrible condition.

The Humanistic model of counselling focusses on the person as a whole. To create a heathy balance and sustainable feeling of wellbeing we need to pay attention and not ignore any aspect of ourselves. In order to achieve the balance, we need to work on:

Mind—talking therapy enables you to express difficult thoughts and feeling in a confidential safe setting where you can say things that you have would never dream of saying to anyone else. You can explore issues which will enable you to understand yourself more effectively and enable you to manage your anxiety, stress, depression in a different way. This will equip you will strategies and techniques for the future.

Body—Exercise releases endorphins which are the hormones that help us feel good. It helps release the energy that emotions create in the body. Take a moment to reflect on how your body feels when you are stressed. Sometimes you need more than talking to release the anger (energy).

So when you combine counselling and exercise you create the BALANCE which enables you to substance your wellbeing long term.

Exercise and counselling both have the benefit of helping an individual with their general well-being.

Exercise increases confidence and leaves you feeling good about yourself and positive due to the release of endorphins.

Counselling can help you to get things off your chest, discover the root of a problem and also increase your confidence.

Exercise can take you out of your head. By focusing on an exercise, helps to bring you into the moment which temporarily shuts down negative thought processes which can lead to negative feelings. This can take you out of the negative sprawl of depression or anxiety and helps to set you on the path to a positive lifestyle.

The humanistic approach to counselling focuses on the person as a whole in body, mind and soul.

By talking through issues, difficulties and challenges life is presenting you with, enables you to understand and deal with things differently. However, when you don’t pay attention to all areas of the self, it creates an imbalance.

This is where exercise plays an important part of your overall well-being.

By expending energy in a positive way, you will be releasing the negative energy and all the negative emotions that build up through the release of endorphins.

Emotions are energy that needs to be expressed verbally and physically.

Your soul is your own source or self-worth. When you are feeling more positive, it increases your self worth and confidence.

The Result-

Confidence and skills to handle life’s challenges more effectively.

You will have the strategies to manage emotions and thoughts.

You will feel stronger, fulfilled and resilient.

You will be able to move forward with your life, setting yourself new goals that you never thought were possible.

Phil