(Read Time: 2 Minutes)

Did you know that there is an all-natural way to help with depression? 

This is something that just about anyone can do. It doesn’t involve any type of drug and it won’t cost you anything. 

Can you guess what it is? 

The answer is exercise. 

Before you roll your eyes and stop reading, let me explain more about the problem and how exercise can be a powerful way to fight back.

Our country is in a depression pandemic. One in every five women aged 40-59 are taking antidepressants, and since 2015 there’s been a 41% increase in kids ages 5-12 taking them.

But pills aren’t the only way to combat this. 

Research has proven that exercise is a very effective way to battle depression. 

Although exercise might not be enough for those with severe depression, many people have reported a huge difference in mood when they exercised regularly.

In fact, exercise can be as effective as antidepressants in some cases. 

Exercising regularly can have an amazing biological effect on your body. It creates a cascade of events that can result in many health benefits. 

There are several biological factors behind the benefits of exercise on your mood. 

First of all, exercise releases endorphins. These are your body’s “feel good” chemicals, which is why you get an immediate boost when you do something active.

In addition, when you exercise regularly, your body will release a protein called neurotrophic factor. This is what causes nerve cells to grow and create new connections…  

And the resulting brain improvement will make you feel better in the long run. 

Neuroscientists have discovered that in people who struggle with depression, the hippocampus in the brain is a lot smaller. This is the part of the brain that regulates your mood.  

For individuals who exercise regularly, the neurological growth you experience helps the hippocampus and improves nerve cell connections… which helps to relieve depression.  

Depression is a very real thing that many people struggle with. Exercising regularly has many health benefits and everyone should be encouraged to do it, even if they have never struggled with depression.  

Depression can leave you feeling unmotivated, so starting by exercising at least 10 minutes a day and slowly working your way up will help to make a difference.

Note: if you are experiencing severe depression or have suicidal thoughts, please contact a professional and get help. You CAN feel good again! If you or a loved one is in crisis, call 988 for immediate help.