Doctors regularly include exercise as part of their prescribed method of managing depression. While an exercise program may not cure depression, it does produce many benefits that encourage healthy coping strategies. Studies have found that people who exercise regularly receive a positive boost in how they feel physically and psychologically, which may help those with depression.
When you exercise, the body releases endorphins. These chemicals act as analgesics, reacting with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain, and also as a sedative to relax your body. They are produced in many parts of your body including the brain and spinal cord. The endorphins work a lot like pain medicines by binding to the same neuron receptors, but when these receptors are activated, they do not lead to addiction or dependence as with pain medicines such as morphine.
Additional physical benefits of exercise that relate to depression sufferers include the following:
- Improves quality of sleep
- Increased energy levels
- Lowered blood pressure
Psychologically, exercise has proven to have many positive effects on people. After a person exercises, he or she tends to feel a sense of accomplishment, which, in turn, leads to an increase in self-esteem.
Further psychological benefits of exercise for those with symptoms of depression include:
- Stress reduction
- Distraction from unpleasant thoughts
- Opportunities for positive interactions with others