Hi, my name is Desiree Winkel, owner and founder of Fitness Coaching. I’ve been working for years in my own personal training studio with clients who like to get fit and healthy, and even those who are in pain. My clients love to train in a cosy, clean, and absolutely friendly atmosphere. Follow what we do on Facebook.
1.Can fitness relieve your depression?
Some of my Fitness Coaching clients are dealing with depression. I am happy I was able to convince some of them that working out could be the start of their success story.
Here’s a quote from one of my clients who wants to stay anonymous: “Since this studio is not a normal gym but a PERSONAL training studio where you get personal attention, you feel at home immediately, no screaming bodybuilders and look-at-me types. Desiree is knowledgeable in nearly everything she does. She has a lot of life experience and I love the fact that she is in her 50s and knows what is going on in a body of that age.”
I feel so privileged when people say such things about me. Having to deal with somebody I worked with for years and an ex-husband – both of whom had a lot of issues with this matter – I can honestly say I sort of studied this illness and just know that exercising is one of the best things to do while dealing with depression. In this article, I explain the benefits of exercise while facing depression. It’s very normal that people of Sint Maarten are feeling depressed as we have gone through so much over the last year and still there are so many things to do.
2.What are the psychological benefits of exercise for those facing depression?
Improved self-esteem is a key psychological benefit of regular physical activity. When you exercise, your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain. Endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. For example, the feeling that follows a run or workout is often described as "euphoric." That feeling, known as a "runner's high," can be accompanied by a positive and energizing outlook on life.
Endorphins act as analgesics, which mean they diminish the perception of pain. They also act as sedatives. They are manufactured in your brain, spinal cord, and many other parts of your body and are released in response to brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. The neuron receptors endorphins bind to are the same ones that bind some pain medicines. However, unlike with morphine, the activation of these receptors by the body's endorphins does not lead to addiction or dependence.
Regular exercise has been proven to do the following:
- Reduce stress
- Ward off anxiety and feelings of depression
- Boost self-esteem
- Improve sleep
Exercise also has the following added health benefits:
- It strengthens your heart.
- It increases energy levels.
- It lowers blood pressure.
- It improves muscle tone and strength.
- It strengthens and builds bones.
- It helps reduce body fat.
- It makes you look fit and healthy.
3.Is exercise a treatment for clinical depression?
Research has shown that exercise is an effective but often underused treatment for mild to moderate depression.
4.Are there types of exercises that are better for depression?
It appears that any form of exercise can help depression.
Because strong social support is important for those with depression, joining a group exercise class may be beneficial. Or you can exercise with a close friend or your partner. In doing so, you will benefit from the physical activity and emotional comfort, knowing that others are supportive of you.
5.Should I talk to my doctor before exercising?
For most people, it is okay to start an exercise program without checking with a health care provider. However, if you have not exercised in a while, are over age 50, or have a medical condition such as diabetes or heart disease, contact your health care provider before starting an exercise program.
6.How can I decide what types of exercise to do?
Before you begin an exercise program for depression, the following are some questions you should consider:
- What physical activities do I enjoy?
- Do I prefer group or individual activities?
- What programs best fit my schedule?
- Do I have physical conditions that limit my choice of exercise?
- What goals do I have in mind? (For example: weight loss, strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, or mood enhancement)
You can overcome the mental and physical inertia that often keeps you from doing what you can to help yourself. The first thing you have to do is to decide whose side you want to be on – your own side, or your depression’s side.
This sounds like a simple and obvious decision, but when it comes down to putting on those sneakers and actually doing something, it may require a real leap of faith, especially if you’ve tried to start exercising in the past and failed. Depression causes you to dwell on how badly you feel, how hopeless everything seems, and what an undeserving and pathetic person you are for not being able to do what you need to do. These feelings and thoughts may seem more “real” and “honest” to you than anything positive you can say to yourself.
When you’re struggling against an opponent as powerful as depression, you need to know your enemy and its weaknesses. Use this information to choose effective strategies and fight back. Because the most troubling symptoms of depression are emotional and cognitive, people often forget that how they think and feel is directly related to what’s going on chemically in their brain and body.
Find a way to distract yourself from those thoughts just long enough to get your exercise session started. To do this, remind yourself that those negative thoughts are your depression talking, not the part of you that wants to be healthy cares about what happens. When those negative thoughts creep in, stop, take a deep breath, and make the decision to be on your own side this time, even if you don’t think it will help. Believe in your strengths.
I hope this article finds you well. You can always talk to us. Your private situation is safe with us. We always say, “What happens in Fitness Coaching stays in Fitness Coaching.”
Spend time, change habits and live happy for you and your child. Let me help you! If you have questions or need more information about Fitness Training, call me, Desiree Winkel, at 524-7700. We are located on Welfare Road, next to North Eastern Insurance, on the first level of the building. Like us on Instagram: Fitness_desiree_winkel
