I practice yoga and I eat well. But training is a different part of my life and contributes to my wellbeing in an important way. There is nothing like smashing a workout in the gym to boost your confidence and improve your mood. Lifting something heavy, making it through a cardio circuit, or even sometimes just turning up when I don’t feel like it, keeps me challenged, motivated and positive. Not to mention the inspiration I get from the people around me, turning up day in day out, keeping me company, and putting everything into what they do – that kind of energy is contagious!
From the Black Dog Institute:
“Research suggests that regular exercise may increase the level of brain serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, sleep, libido, appetite and other functions. Problems in the serotonin pathways of the brain have been linked to depression. Exercise can also increase the level of endorphins in the brain which have ‘mood-lifting’ properties.”
Did you know that people that exercise consistently can experience symptoms of depression, guilt, tension and general fatigue within just 2 weeks of quitting training?
Regular exercise may alleviate symptoms of depression by:
– Increasing energy levels
– Improving sleep
– Distracting from worries
– Providing social support and reducing loneliness if exercise is done with other people
– Increasing a sense of control and self-esteem, by allowing people to take an active role in their own wellbeing…
I love feeling strong, capable, happy and energetic. And boom. That is why I train.
If you or someone you know is showing signs of depression you can visit blackdoginstitute.org.au or beyondblue.com.au for more helpful information.
Kelly Moriarty