I have previously shared on this website that I have had struggles with my mental health in recent years. After the passing of my stepdad in late 2021, I fell into a deep depression. Eventually I went to mental health therapy in 2023 and was diagnosed with major depression. In 2023, I was also diagnosed with chronic insomnia.
But, what also happened in 2023, starting on January 1, 2023, is that I took control of my physical health in addition to taking the proper steps to start addressing my mental health issues. Mental health therapy definitely helped me deal with my major depression, and getting a prescription for Trazodone (50 mg) has undeniably helped me get my chronic insomnia in check. In addition to those things, regularly lifting weights and doing cardio has also been vital to me clawing my way back to proper health.
I started off by practicing what I would eventually coin as ‘progressive discipline,’ and by that I mean that I started by doing a handful of things, and once I got those things down, I added to it. I described some of those things in a previous article, which was the first that I ever posted on this website. It is titled ‘Lifting Weights, Cardio, And Nutrition – Getting Started.’
I know for a fact that working out has helped improve my mental health over the last couple of years. However, I recognize that my experience may not be other people’s experience. My lived experience is anecdotal evidence. So what does the science say?
“There’s tons of evidence, from hundreds of studies with hundreds of thousands of participants, showing that exercise is an effective tool to combat depression and other mental health issues like anxiety. These studies find that it’s at least as good as drugs or therapy, and perhaps even better. It’s now recommended in official guidelines around the world as a stand-alone or secondary treatment.” Outside Online stated in a recent article.
“Overall, the evidence from randomized control trials lines up with the observational evidence: prescribing exercise improves or prevents the occurrence of depression and anxiety.” Outside Online also stated (these are excerpts). “It’s pretty clear at this point that exercise isn’t just correlated with mental health; it can change it.”
I encourage people to check out the previously linked Outside Online article, which is packed with citations of peer-reviewed studies on this topic. If you suffer from poor mental health, I implore you to take the matter seriously and to seek out help. Do not downplay the seriousness of it, and do not suffer in secret. Going to therapy, talking to my medical doctor about my mental health struggles, and regularly exercising made all the difference for me. I trust that it will probably work for you too if you stick with it!
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