Exercise: A new cure to anxiety and depression?
Exercise and mood are often co-related. People usually neglect exercise just because they aren’t in the “mood” to do it.
These mood swings may include anxiety, depression and what not. But is there some deeper, underlying connection? Let’s see what the actual science behind this phenomenon is.
WHAT IS ANXIETY?
“Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.” (Source: Wikipedia)
Anxiety can be further classified into different types which include panic disorders, social anxiety disorders, specific phobias, and generalized anxiety disorders
PANIC DISORDERS
This condition highlights the feeling of terror that strikes in a flash without any warning. Symptoms include palpitations, raised heart beat etc.
SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDERS
In this condition, the individual has an overwhelmingly increased response of worry and self-consciousness.
SPECIFIC PHOBIAS
This relates to the fear of a certain object or a being or any other condition. This varies from person to person.
GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER
This showcases the un-realistic worry of an individual towards a certain condition.
SYMPTOMS
The signs and symptoms for anxiety include dry mouth, insomnia, breathing problems, nausea, muscle tension, dizziness, palpitations, and cold or sweaty hands.
Studies show that anxiety disorders are caused by the inappropriate functioning in the brain circuits which regulate emotions like fear. The triggering factor might also include any trauma or a significant event.
WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
“Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to the activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well being.” (Source: Wikipedia)
According to Merriam-Webster, “it is a serious condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless and unimportant and often is unable to live in a normal way.”
The types of depression include major depression, chronic depression (dysthymia), bipolar depression, seasonal depression (SAD), and psychotic depression.
SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of depression include fatigue, feeling of guilt, concentration impairment, insomnia, and significant body changes (weight loss or weight gain), diminished interests, persistent headaches, cramps or digestive problems. These symptoms are affected by neurotransmitters (chemical mediators) serotonin and nor-epinephrine.
One of the most common sections of the population being affected by depression is the teenagers. Near adolescence, you see teens having slight mood changes which are referred to as adolescent depression. If left untreated, it can prove to be a pre-requisite for many other diseases, possibly heart attack.
The alarming fact is that by the year 2020, major depression will be second on the list for leading disabilities in the world. Ischemic heart disease will be the leading cause.
HOW DOES EXERCISE INFLUENCE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION?
Exercise is one of the many aspects which can treat these conditions without having any medications or undergoing treatment.
Hormones play an important role in controlling the temperament of a person. Endorphins are the chemical mediators or hormones released during exercise which induce pain relieving effects in the body. They not only act as analgesics (pain relievers) but also help in increasing immunity (defense mechanism). Nor-epinephrine is also a neurotransmitter which helps in improving or elevating mood. Hence, it reduces the effects of anxiety, depression, if not totally eradicate it.
The benefits of exercise include proper sleep, lowering blood pressure and stress relief. It also boosts self-esteem and promotes good attitude, therefore a significant decrease in anxiety and depression.
