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Picture of Anna After bouts of depression during 6th form and at uni, Andy found counselling to be a revelation despite initial scepticism, helping him recognise how earlier experiences had affected him... more > >

Also in "Tackling Depression"...

"I found the strength to resume my previously active exercise regime. I jogged outdoors, swam, went to the gym, and so on. This helped me to connect my physical wellbeing with my emotional wellbeing. If my metabolism is good and I've done a lot of cardio, I'm slightly more upbeat as a person." Fayola

"I know it doesn't work for everyone but exercise helped me so much - let go of my stress, tired me out so I didn't fret as much or lose as much sleep, and prevented me from under-eating!" Kristy

Students Against Depression
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Increasing Exercise

Gym Ball

Exercise affects mood chemicals

Even very moderate exercise can make a big difference to your mood. Exercise raises the levels of endorphins (a mood chemical) in your brain, giving feelings of pleasure and raising mood. It also contributes to a sense of achievement.

Reversing the depression habit spiral

Exercise therefore helps to address the depression habit spiral at the biological and psychological level. If you exercise with friends or meet new people that way, then it can also help at the social level (see why me? for more on the effect of different factors on depression).

What exercise did you use to enjoy?
What could you do with the support and company of others?

Good depression-busting exercise ideas

Walking
Easy and cheap, can be fitted in to daily routines. Especially good when done in pleasant outdoor surroundings, but even 5 minutes around the block can make a difference. Can be enjoyable to share with someone else.
Yoga or pilates
Gentle, non-competitive exercise. Teaches relaxation techniques, useful for managing stress or anger levels, sorting out sleep patterns and generally raising mood levels. Often offered at university sports centres.
Swimming
Can include vigorous or gentler, more relaxing elements. Immersion in water can be very soothing. Choose a time when the pool isn't too busy, so that you can go at your own pace and benefit from the relaxation effects as well as the exercise.
Team sports
Any team sport, especially if undertaken for fun and socialising purposes. Check at your students union for clubs.
Martial arts
Gentler martial arts which focus on internal control, breathing and mental discipline can be especially useful for combating depressed thinking.
"Green gym"
The green gym concept is about exercising in a constructive way by participating in organised outdoor, "green" projects such as tree planting or dry stone walling. See other useful websites for more info.

Always exercise with respect and care

Exercise should not be undertaken in a punishing or over-exerting way. Respect your body by warming up and down well and being gentle with yourself.

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Links

More about relaxation
More about other complementary strategies: sorting out sleep patterns , managing stress levels
More about how depresssion works and factors affecting depression: why me? , the depression habit spiral , depressed thinking , stress, anxiety & anger
More about "green gym": other useful websites

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Real Student Stories

Increasing Exercise

Exercise affects mood chemicals

Reversing the depression habit spiral

Good depression-busting exercise ideas

Walking

Yoga or pilates

Swimming

Team sports

Martial arts

"Green gym"

Always exercise with respect and care

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