Let me start by saying that I am not talking about clinical depression. If you are diagnosed with depression you should see a doctor.
I am talking about your garden variety depression that everybody feels from time to time. The same with anxiety. There are trying times in everybody’s life that can be solved with simple treatments.
Like getting exercise. Exercise can not only make you physically healthy but mentally, too. And since being happy is good for your heart, it is a positive infinite loop.
In this article, I will go over several types of exercise that you should be doing to get out of that rut and start feeling happy again.
Regular sex
Yes, sex is exercise. You’ll burn calories when you have sex, but also start a series of events inside your body that will help reduce or even eliminate depression.
A deficiency of nitric oxide in our body is one of the reasons we can feel depressed. Sex boosts levels of nitric oxide more than most other types of physical activity. When you get this boost, it reduces the feelings of anxiety and depression.
In addition, you also release hormones like serotonin, which is what causes us to feel happy. Also increased are epinephrine, oxytocin, and dopamine which are linked to our moods and general happy feelings.
Now, if your depression is severe, you may be experiencing erectile dysfunction, in which case you may need a pharmaceutical to help you have sex. Check out manual.co to learn more about those pharmaceuticals like Viagra.
Yoga
Yoga is one of the best ways to beat and prevent depression and anxiety. Besides the physical benefits from stretching, yoga helps reduce negative thoughts which can lead to depression.
It helps a person stay focused and at the moment. Stretching also allows blood to flow freely throughout the body. This increase in blood flow can lead to a boost in oxygen which helps us stay more active. And staying active is a great way to not be depressed and anxious.
Long walks
A long, leisurely walk is a great way to give your mind some space. Taking up to 30 minutes will get the blood flowing to the brain and help you think clearly. It can clear your mind of whatever it is that is bothering you and help keep it in perspective.
If you do this several times per week, then you can think your way out of your problems and stay focused better.
Play a sport
When you are depressed, you tend to withdraw socially and that creates a cycle that is hard to break.
Playing a sport keeps you social and around other people more. Then add the endorphins and other hormones to the mix and you can see how a sport can help you get out of a depressed funk.
Whether the result is a win or a loss you will come out of it happier that you participated and start feeling better.