If we shared what was in our medicine cabinets with our girlfriends, then we would see that we have more in common than we realize. Odds are that if you’re on anti-depressants, then you know another Warrior Woman who is.
According to this 2010 study:
“Women are far more likely to take a drug to treat a mental health condition than men with more than a quarter of the adult female population on these drugs in 2010 as compared to 15% of men.”
Each woman’s reason for taking anti-depressants is deeply personal. While you can benefit greatly from anti-depressants, training is a fantastic way to improve your mental health.
Benefits of Exercise on Depression
The benefits of exercise on depression are numerous!
- Improved sleep
- Increased interest in sex
- Better endurance
- Stress relief
- Improvement in mood
- Increased energy and stamina
- Reduced tiredness that can increase mental alertness
- Weight reduction
- Reduced cholesterol and improved cardiovascular fitness
Anything from light to high-intensity cardio has been proven to reduce anxiety and depression. Cardio increases blood flow to the parts of the brain that controls stress, fear, motivation, and mood and improve their functioning.
The direct benefits of exercise on depression are clear, but at SBG we also see increased confidence, self-efficacy, and social connection. We’ve seen it in our students! When you train with amazing people, you discover what you’re capable of and it improves all aspects of your life!
Of course, training is not a replacement for medication and therapy, but it is a fantastic supplement as well as a healthy coping mechanism.