Exercise Is Not a Dirty Word

Exercise is a huge contributor to mental and physical wellness. A life long habit is wonderful, but it is never too late to start age appropriate exercise. Exercise as a habit seems unattainable to many people who have never exercised regularly because it is an unknown experience. People may not to be able to imagine it. If you can’t imagine it, then you won’t be able to do it. Exercise releases many of the feel good hormones that are increased in your brain, such as Serotonin (calming effect), Dopamine (rewarding effect) and Norepinephrine (Improved focus effect). Oftentimes, when I am discussing exercise as an option to my patient’s ,I will see their eyes glaze over because they have been given this “lecture” before and it does not seem appealing to them. But exercise has been proven in studies to be more effective for some people than antidepressants when it is practiced consistently, or as an adjunct to antidepressants. However, never stop your medicine without the advice of your mental health provider.