Effects of Physical Activity on Depression
Signs of depression
- lack of motivation
- no sleep
- hair loss
- loss of interest in daily activities
- anger/irritability
- concentration problems
- anxiety
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How does Physical Activity Help?
There are many studies associated with the positive impact that physical exercise can leave a person. This includes in improving self esteem, improving sleep, as well as lowering stress levels. Physical activity is associated with having an immediate effect in the brain. It also causes for high levels of serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone released by the body that has a positive impact on feelings, and it is a stabilizer for depressive moods. When you exercise or do any physical activity, your body is sending signals to the brain which releases the hormone. That is why many people are in a good mood after getting a work out done. Physical activity done with another person or even a group of people can assist as social support is very important for someone with depression.
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Research Study
A research study done by the psychiatric journal of Scandinavia investigated the relationship between physical activity and depression. It was found that those who were clinically depressed, had lower signs of physical activity.Stubbs, Koyanagi, A., Schuch, F. B., Firth, J., Rosenbaum, S., Veronese, N., Solmi, M., Mugisha, J., & Vancampfort, D. (2016) Also, another study performed by the The Cooper Institute in Dallas, Texas investigated the physical activity dose-response effects on depression and anxiety. It uncovered that people who demonstrated leisure time physical activity showed reducing symptoms of depression. DUNN, ANDREA, TRIVEDI, MADHUKAR & O'NEAL, HEATHER. (2001)
DUNN, TRIVEDI, M. H., & ONEAL, H. A. (2001). Physical activity dose-response effects on outcomes of depression and anxiety. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(6), S587–S597. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200106001-00027
Stubbs, Koyanagi, A., Schuch, F. B., Firth, J., Rosenbaum, S., Veronese, N., Solmi, M., Mugisha, J., & Vancampfort, D. (2016). Physical activity and depression: a large cross-sectional, population-based study across 36 low- and middle-income countries. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 134(6), 546–556. https://doi.org/10.1111/acps.12654