Depression is sadly more common than you may think.

What if exercise could help someone immediately feel better?

What if one workout yielded more mood-enhancing feelings and hormones than the popular antidepressant pharmaceutical pill?

Wouldn’t that be better and safer? AND FREE!??!!??

Imagine your doctors saying, ” Take one hour at the gym everyday for the next two weeks and then give me a call to check up.” ?

This is what an average “warning” label typically reads on an average pharmaceutical(pharm) antidepressant:

May cause drowsiness, use care when operating machinery/excitability, panic attacks and thoughts of suicide or dying may occur/ dry mouth or insomnia are common. aggressive behavior, angry or violent moods swings may occur. In rare cases congestive heart failure and death may occur. Do not take if pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. Allergic reactions may vary. Do not take with other medications. Keep out of reach of children.

Whew. I’m exhausted.

Check out what the “label” for exercise says:

May improve vitality, spirit and energy, in some cases happiness occurs. often relieves symptoms of depression, discomfort and pain. In many cases, recovery from physical and mental problems are rapid. Has been known to improve self-confidence and skills such operating heavy equipment. Social behavior will be enhanced. Highly recommended for children.

Damn. I want to go work out right now!!! =)

I 100% am not saying that pharm anti-depressant are BAD. I actually strongly believe that in many cases they are what works and what is best for a certain individual.

I just want to put the idea in people’s and doctors heads that perhaps pharms should not be the first thing prescribed.

I would love to see exercise, when possible, to be as strongly PUSHED , recommended, and prescribed to people suffering with depression as pharms are.

Let me be clear though, EVERYONE needs to check with their doctor to see what solution is best for them.

I want to end with a short and fascinating study done by researcher John Bartholomew, PhD, associate professor in the department of kinesiology and health education at the University of Texas in Austin.

40 people that were diagnosed with depression rested in a quiet room for 30 minutes, while another group of 40 people diagnosed with depression did 30 minutes of moderate- intensity treadmill walking.

(None of the subjects involved had been regularly exercising or on any antidepressants.)

After the 30 minutes were up, both groups reported feeling less depression, less anger, less tension, and less fatigue.

BUT, the group that did the treadmill walking reported an INCREASED sense of well-being and of feeling good!

If one exercise session reduced depression and its symptoms AND increased good feelings, mood and well-being… imagine what exercise on a consistent basis could do?

Just a thought! =)