At Personal Trainer Cape Town,we do realise that stress is a real thing,especially with one having to juggle home stress,work stress, depression,and now the covid pandemic we find ourselves in.
But, as difficult as it is,I can’t stress how important exercise is for depression and stress!
Want to alleviate stress or cope with depression?
Exercise may help. Increasingly, there is evidence from researchers that certain levels of physical activity can positively affect mental health.
Stress
A growing body of research over the last 10 years shows that physical activity and exercise also improve psychological well-being.
Published data show that people with higher levels of fitness are capable of managing stress more effectively than those who are less fit
It appears that cardiovascular exercise is the method that most benefits stress reduction. The research indicates that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, performed three times a week (sessions lasting over 20 minutes) for up to 12 weeks, has the most influence on stress management.
Depression
The antidepressant action is one of the most commonly accepted psychological benefits of exercise. Patients diagnosed with depression have credited exercise as being an important element in comprehensive treatment programs for depression
Cardiovascular and resistance exercise seem to be equally effective in producing anti depressive effects.
It also appears that both a one-time exercise session and chronic exercise training programs have a positive effect on people with clinical depression.
Research does imply, though, that the greatest anti depressive effects occur after 17 weeks of exercise, although you can observe improvements after 4 weeks
Anxiety
There appears to be much debate about whether low-intensity, moderate-intensity or high-intensity aerobic exercise is most beneficial. (If you’re not sure at what intensity you should exercise, consult with us at Personal Trainer Cape Town.)
It appears that even short bursts of 5 minutes of cardiovascular exercise stimulate anti-anxiety effects.
The research also indicates that people who train for periods of 10–15 weeks receive the greatest beneficial effects.
so what are you waiting for?
Message us at Personal Trainer Cape Town now to start chipping away at those stress levels of yours!
