Blue Moon: How to build a strong mind in a strong body?
No lifter worth his weight in iron thinks his workouts are for the benefit of, or fueled by, his body alone. You know that with each repetition, you are training your muscles and your mind to be strong and powerful, and that you are using both to achieve the desired results.
It was probably a combination of the two that motivated you to start exercising in the first place. set a goal to be physically strong and fit usually comes from a desire not to feel otherwise mentally. Maybe you decided a long time ago that you never (or ever again) want to feel incapable of accomplishing anything. You found a healthy way to gain more control over your life and how you feel, and you began to work both mind and body. Exercising became a way and a way of coping with life.
However, while exercise can generally help you beat depression and avoid negative feelings, “it doesn’t guarantee that everything in one’s life will run smoothly,” says Kate Hays, a Toronto psychologist who practices sports psychology.
Faced with a major stressor, you may start to feel like you did before you started exercising: unable to make anything happen. It is at these times that you may be vulnerable to depression. If negative thoughts or depressed mood become more frequent, intense, or last longer than usual, it’s important to seek professional help. Studies have shown that a combination of exercise and psychotherapy is the best prescription for depression. Like going to the gym, seeking help for depression requires commitment to the process and patience to see the results. And just like starting an exercise regimen, most people feel better right away just from taking the first step.
MORE THAN THE BLUES
Sure, you think you can solve anything by working out. But even the toughest guy should be aware of some common depression triggers:
Injury: Since exercising is part of your coping strategy, routine, identity, and even your social network, a physical injury can be a real mental to delay. Also, since exercise can work as an antidepressant, “when you can’t exercise, you can’t get the physiological mood enhancement,” says Hays.
overtraining: “One of the typical signs of someone who is overtraining is the [his or her] your mood worsens,” Hays notes. You may have difficulty concentrating or sleeping, or you may be irritable. Hays cautions that a “negative spiral” can develop if you try to alleviate these symptoms by training further.
personal loss: A sudden or tragic event can disrupt your routine, your resources, and ultimately your state of mind.
Family history of depression: According to Hays, you can lower your risk of developing depression by exercising, but exercise “doesn’t prevent depression from occurring.”
Chronic negative perceptions: Athletes who respond negatively to stressors are at risk for depression. Do not see the desired results in the gym? Depression can set in if you interpret the setback negatively. Say to yourself, “I haven’t set realistic goals for myself,” instead of “I’m weak.”