Workout As An Alternative Treatment To Depression

Depression is classified as a known and treatable mental condition. As such, it shows signs and symptoms which are measurable and diagnosable just as any other medical condition does. Similar to other medical conditions, pharmaceuticals have been developed to alter specific physiological functions to treat depression, and reverse its effects.

If you suffer from depression and are looking for a holistic and an alternative to pharmaceuticals to treat your condition, first you need to check with your doctor. You should never self-medicate, or change your dosages without the express recommendation of your physician. As a part of a holistic treatment to depression, exercise plays a very strong role. Exercise, and any kind of movement in general, is what the human body was designed to do. Doing so also causes a positive hormonal response from your body.

The Rush

If you have ever exercised vigorously and shortly after you stopped experienced the sensation which makes you feel like you are invincible? A feeling of euphoria is often reported by many people who exercise regularly and engage in high intensity workouts. This is the rush. It is the positive hormonal response your body gives you after an intense exercise session. It is a perfectly normal reaction which is initiated after your heart has been pumping and your muscles have been contracting for a short while. It triggers the pituitary gland in the brain which tells it to release hormones called endorphins, which are what give the sensation of feeling happiness.

The idea to use workouts and exercising as a way of treating depression is based on this very principle. However, several dozen studies have examined this exact theory and looked at if exercise can actually treat depression. The researchers have found that in general, exercise can indeed treat the symptoms of mild and moderate depression.

Research on Depression and Exercise

A study review which looked at the research on exercise and depression concluded that exercise does actually elevate your mood for a some period of time. The studies showed that consistent and moderate intensity exercise could help to milder depressions, and may help play a role in treating severe depression.

A published Harvard study which dates back to 1999, compared the effects of a regular exercise routine and prescription anti-depressants on a group of participants. The 156 participants suffered from mild to moderate depression. The participants were divided into 3 different test groups. The first group was treated with an anti-depressant, while the second was prescribed a regular exercise routine, and the third was prescribed both the drug and regular exercise sessions. After a full 16 weeks, the level of depression was measured in all 3 groups. The results were surprising. The study found out that all the group scores were essentially the same, easing in all the treatments, and 60% to 70% of the participants in all groups were no longer classified as severe.