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Exercise and Depression
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You Asked: Mood Swings and Exercise, What Gives?
You're asking and I'm answering...
Dear Fit,
I am usually pretty good at working out but recently I've been skipping a few days because work's been super busy. I find that on those days I get super moody...
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Another Reason to Exercise: Beat Depression
Perhaps the phrase jumping for joy means more than we thought...
New research has found that regular exercise may work as well as medication in improving symptoms of major depression. Not only does exercise affect some key chemicals of the nervous system (norepinephrine and serotonin) that are targets of antidepressant drugs, but exercise may also boost people's feelings of self-efficacy and promote positive thinking.
Kristen Wants to Quit Smoking, Do It Too!
Kristen Stewart made the first step in kicking her cigarette habit — admitting to Entertainment Weekly that she's ready to give it up, saying, "I'm going to stop smoking. I'm not such a good smoker, anyway. It's not in my bones.
Depressed? Ecotherapists Say, "Go Take a Hike!"
Although some depressed people think they should see a psychotherapist or get meds prescribed (or both), psychologists from the burgeoning field of eco-therapy have a simpler prescription: go outside and mingle with nature.
We humans, they argue, evolved to interact with nature and the outdoors, but beginning with the Industrial Revolution two centuries ago, we've largely become alienated from that world. Now that more than half of the world's population lives in cities, and those lives are increasingly taken over by computers and BlackBerrys (or iPhones), some people don't go outside at all except to travel from their homes to their offices.
The Lowdown on Exercising High
Recently FitSugar reader mamasitamalita wrote in to ask about her friend who works out while buzzed. Apparently it's more common than I thought, and it's not the only thing people are doing before hitting the gym. An anonymous reader commented
"Sometimes, every once in a while, I will get stoned before yoga or a long run — it helps me to calm down and focus on the task at hand, rather than obsessing about work or personal stresses."
Depression
In This Report- Highlights
- Introduction
- Causes
- Risk Factors
- Complications of Depression...
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Antidepressants and Drug Tr...
- Psychotherapy
- Other Treatments
- Lifestyle Changes
- Resources
- References
Exercise
In This Report- Highlights
- Introduction
- Recommended Exercise Method...
- Exercise's Effects on the H...
- Exercise's Effects on Diabe...
- Exercise's Effects on Bones...
- Exercise's Effects on the L...
- Exercise's Effects on Weigh...
- Exercise's Effects on Other...
- Complications
- Motivation
- Resources
- References
- A new study found that aerobic and resistance training significantly reduced fatigue in men undergoing radiation treatments for prostate cancer. Fatigue is a common side effect of such treatments.
- Doctors at the Mayo Clinic found that exercise improves the physical and emotional well-being of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The patients exercised for as little as 60 minutes each week.
Avoid The Post Holiday Let Down
So the holiday season has nearly come and gone and for most of us, this can trigger a let down that gives us a case of the blues. Eating too much, drinking too much and spending too much are among the many causes of holiday blues. Add family tension and you've got yourself a few good reasons to get a grip.
You Asked: Working Out Buzzed?
Hey Fit,
I had post-work appetizers and drinks with a girlfriend last night, and as we departed she said she was heading to the gym. Granted, we each had two light beers over maybe an hour and 20 minutes, but it surprised me that she'd go work out after a couple drinks. She said she doesn't do it all the time, but if she's not feeling too tipsy it actually helps her kind of zone out and get into her workout, and by the time she's finished any possible buzz is gone.
PMDD: My Dirty Little Secret
Three years ago I was diagnosed with PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) — it's sort of like PMS on overdrive, except way worse. Before the diagnosis I was embarrassed at how unstable I felt as my period approached, especially when all of my girlfriends seemed to be handling their PMS symptoms in a manageable way.
My menstrual cycles were always preceded by feelings of severe depression, crying bouts, anxiety, fatigue, and extreme back pain that would disappear the day my period started.
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