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Natural Methods to Fight Depression
By Shannon Cook
Depression is a condition that affects a large number of people at some point or another in their lives.
If you struggle with persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, a sense of dread about the future, a loss of zest and motivation, and shifts in sleep habits or appetite, you might be experiencing depression. Severe cases can require intervention of a pharmaceutical variety, but often milder cases can be alleviated using natural approaches. Exercise is a fantastic way to elevate your mood and ease your depression symptoms. Though it may not sound too appealing to get started, once you have established a pattern of exercising, it often becomes easier and easier as your depression lifts. Here are 3 steps to using exercise to treat your depression symptoms:
1. Check with your doctor and find out what kind of activity is appropriate for you, and whether you need to avoid certain activities. Start out slowly and build up to where you want to go. There is no sense in going crazy in the gym the first day and ending up so sore you can't go back for 3 or 4 days. It is easy to get caught up in the adrenaline and try to do too much - so pace yourself, and do a little less than you think you can right at first. In this case, exercise is being used as a regularly "dosed" activity, so better to be sure you can maintain a higher frequency of workouts.
2. Choose cardiovascular exercise and your primary type of workout. This is because cardio raises your heart rate for a sustained period of time. When this occurs, endorphins, the feel good compounds that elevate our mood, are released. Choose a variety of activities that you enjoy, as you will be far more likely to keep up with a routine you enjoy. Swimming, basketball, elliptical, treadmill, running, and dance are all excellent cardiovascular activities.
3. Build up your routine, frequency, and length of time of your workouts as you increase your fitness level. Strive for about 45 minutes of cardiovascular exercise 5 times per week for a good benefit. Don't be discouraged if you miss a workout or can't always be at the gym that long. Any exercise is helpful.
Are you interested in addressing your life challenges from a holistic standpoint, assessing the physical, emotional, and relationship components?
For a free copy of my ebook, "Natural Methods To Fight Depression", click here: http://www.stoptoxicrelationships.com/gifts-naturalmethodstofightdepression.html
Shannon Cook is a personal coach and resource guide who has written a number of informative articles and ebooks on the topic of toxic relationships and holistic personal growth, including physical, emotional and relationship health.
By Shannon Cook
Depression is a condition that affects a large number of people at some point or another in their lives.
If you struggle with persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, a sense of dread about the future, a loss of zest and motivation, and shifts in sleep habits or appetite, you might be experiencing depression. Severe cases can require intervention of a pharmaceutical variety, but often milder cases can be alleviated using natural approaches. Exercise is a fantastic way to elevate your mood and ease your depression symptoms. Though it may not sound too appealing to get started, once you have established a pattern of exercising, it often becomes easier and easier as your depression lifts. Here are 3 steps to using exercise to treat your depression symptoms:
1. Check with your doctor and find out what kind of activity is appropriate for you, and whether you need to avoid certain activities. Start out slowly and build up to where you want to go. There is no sense in going crazy in the gym the first day and ending up so sore you can't go back for 3 or 4 days. It is easy to get caught up in the adrenaline and try to do too much - so pace yourself, and do a little less than you think you can right at first. In this case, exercise is being used as a regularly "dosed" activity, so better to be sure you can maintain a higher frequency of workouts.
2. Choose cardiovascular exercise and your primary type of workout. This is because cardio raises your heart rate for a sustained period of time. When this occurs, endorphins, the feel good compounds that elevate our mood, are released. Choose a variety of activities that you enjoy, as you will be far more likely to keep up with a routine you enjoy. Swimming, basketball, elliptical, treadmill, running, and dance are all excellent cardiovascular activities.
3. Build up your routine, frequency, and length of time of your workouts as you increase your fitness level. Strive for about 45 minutes of cardiovascular exercise 5 times per week for a good benefit. Don't be discouraged if you miss a workout or can't always be at the gym that long. Any exercise is helpful.
Are you interested in addressing your life challenges from a holistic standpoint, assessing the physical, emotional, and relationship components?
For a free copy of my ebook, "Natural Methods To Fight Depression", click here: http://www.stoptoxicrelationships.com/gifts-naturalmethodstofightdepression.html
Shannon Cook is a personal coach and resource guide who has written a number of informative articles and ebooks on the topic of toxic relationships and holistic personal growth, including physical, emotional and relationship health.
the balancing act
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