Approximately 6 million Americans over the age of 65 have depression. However, while anxiety is common, you don’t have to take it lying down. There are many effective for getting rid of depression and putting that special spark back into life. Exercising is one of the best ways to chase any dark clouds away.
Can Exercise Really Help You Feel Better?
Trustworthy clinical studies prove that exercise can get rid of stress, reduce anxiety and help with depression. In fact, for many seniors, exercise can be just as effective as medication in relieving anxiety. Staying active provides short-term and long-term benefits for your mood, letting you wake up every day with a smile on your face.
How Can Exercise Improve Your Mood?
You’ve probably already experienced the stress-fighting benefits of exercise personally. After going for a jog or a swim, it’s common to feel energized, like you’re ready for anything. Why does this happen? When you exercise, your brain releases feel-good neurotransmitters called endorphins. These natural brain chemicals give you a sense of well-being and block feelings of pain.
Exercising also improves how your brain reacts to positive hormones. If you have depression caused by low levels of serotonin, working out may help your brain create new connections to find a way around the issue. Another plus is that focusing on a rewarding activity such as hiking or gardening helps you forget about negative thoughts.
What Other Benefits Can You Get From Your Workout?
Exercise provides wonderful improvements to your outlook every day, but that’s not all. You can also enjoy whole-body health benefits. Exercise is good for your bones, muscles, joints and heart. It gives you more energy, helps you concentrate, and reduces your risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.
If you enjoy working out with other people, you also get social benefits from your exercise routine. Playing tennis with a friend, going for a walk with your special someone or taking a group dance class can all go a long way to getting rid of the blues. There’s nothing better than sharing a good laugh for your health.
What Are Some Exercises You Can Do To Feel Great?
You don’t have to go to the extreme to enjoy the mood boosting benefits of a great workout. The important thing is to get your body moving. Whether you love playing tennis, dancing or gardening, these activities can help you fight depression:- Swimming- Dancing- Walking briskly- Jogging- Biking- Lifting weights- Stretching- Mowing or raking
There are four main categories of exercises: strength, endurance, flexibility and balance. Remember that everyday activities count too. For example, carry groceries counts as strength exercise and walking briskly around the mall is a type of endurance or aerobic exercise.
How Often Should You Exercise?
The CDC encourages seniors to invest in 60 minutes of moderate exercise (or 30 minutes of vigorous exercise), five days a week. It’s also a good idea to add some muscle-building exercises a few days a week. Of course, if you have chronic pain, it’s OK to stick to milder exercises. Also, remember to stretch properly before getting started.
How Can You Maximize the Benefits of Your Exercise Program?
What you eat also has an effect on your mood. When you take in plenty of nutrients from natural superfoods, it can reduce the amount of anxiety your feel and give you the energy you need for a great workout. B vitamins, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids can have a great effect on stress. Get rid of anxiety and take your exercise plan to the next level with our mood-boosting nutritional superstars.
Good information
You should add boxing (mild, not vigorous) to your list.
Thanks for the suggestion!
I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I’m hoping to see the same high-grade content from you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own site now 😉