Feeling Down? Get Up and Get Moving!

Exercise is probably the last thing on your mind when you’re feeling like it’s you against the world. But just 30 minutes of it could help lift your gray mood better than popping some Prozac and downing a carton of ice cream. Why does exercise make you feel so much better about yourself? At the most basic level, exercising stimulates healthy blood circulation to your entire body, delivering fresh oxygen and nutrients throughout your cells and providing energy to all your body’s tissues, including your brain.

Exercise also reduces stress levels by giving you an outlet to release your frustrations and pent-up anxiety. It can help you overcome sleep problems, which are thought to be a trigger for depression. On a psychological level, exercise increases self-esteem and provides a sense of mastery that can make your troubles feel like they aren’t that overwhelming after all. Overweight people who lose weight through exercise have the added advantage of actually being able to see their progress, which can be a powerful catalyst for change in other areas of their life.

So the next time you’re feeling blue or feeling like your world is spinning out of control, leave the ice cream in the freezer and strap on your gym shoes instead.

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