Exercise as a treatment for stress, depression, and anxiety

Exercise has been described as the best medicine for depression. It can help a person get through rough times. Physical exercise is very important for a person's mental and physical health. Exercise helps in pumping more blood through the veins. This results in the increase in size of the arteries and it prevents fats from clogging the arteries. It also prevents blood clots. A person who exercises regularly is protected from a variety of diseases and it helps in curbing cholesterol. Exercise benefits a human body as it lowers blood pressure and conditions the lungs. Exercise has its various advantages. It successfully counters stress, depression and anxiety. It has been named as the best fighting force for all these problems. Exercise is also instrumental in improving a person's nervous, cardiovascular and immune system. It also increases our metabolism, digestion and stimulation. (University of Michigan Health System) (http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/primry/fit02.htm)

Sometimes people feel angry and depressed over the state of their lives. It's highly recommended that one works out. Working out and exercising will reduce stress. It's important to make time for exercise as well as recreation. It requires a lot of motivation to go this far. If a person conquers stress, then depression and anxiety are also reduced as they all are interlinked together. It's important to reap the benefits of exercise.

Stress Reduction

Exercise is very important for stress reduction. People are often burdened with a lot of problems in their daily lives. This can cause a lot of problems to their most important organs in the body such as the heart and the lungs. The heart is one of the most important parts of the body. It is the organ which can withstand all the physical stress response. However all that stress isn't good for the body? Exercise can help the body as it helps a person loose weight as well as remain healthy. It improves the circulation of the body and provides for its maintenance. Due to this reason a person becomes more active and it helps in improving a person's response to stress related situations. Exercise is stated to be one of the best anti-stress medicine. Experts say that when a person exercises, he/she tends to improve his/her nutrition. With the help of good nutrition a person can take care of him/her self better and it reduces stress as the body receives all the vital components. Without a proper exercise routine, a person can't digest his food easily which can lead to a person having unsafe thoughts. Exercise calms the body down and it helps a person relax and handle situations in a proper manner. It makes a person's life easier as one does have any stress to handle. It allows contributes to a change in a person's mood cycle. If a person is motivated enough to exercise, then a lot of problems can be eliminated easily. It also helps if a person goes through an exercise routine with good spirits.

There is a constellation of mental health factors improved, whether its endorphins in the brain, or self-confidence, it's more important that the exercise happens," said Miriam Nelson, associate professor of nutrition and director of the Center for Physical Fitness. "The reduction of stress, sleep, energy, and everything else feed upon each other, making you look and feel better." (Marissa Beck, Relieving Stress Through Exercise, The Tufts Daily, 2003)

Anxiety

Anxiety is a problem faced by a lot of people. This is due to the fast paced and often tension filled lives of people. Exercise is important as it can help curb the levels of anxiety in a person. As a person gets busy with exercise, all the problems take a backseat as the person is busy exercising. It frees the mind and allows a person to concentrate on his/her exercise. This benefits the person as there are no worries. Studies have shown that women experience a great relief of stress and anxiety after going through vigorous exercise rather than a moderate one. This was found out after a number of women in the categories of 18 to 20 and 35 to 45 went through either no exercise or a grueling session of moderated or high intensity exercise. It was found that the level of anxiety had dropped in all women especially those who went through a high intensity exercise. It also showed that the older women were the beneficiaries of exercise. This proves that exercise is the key to a healthy life as it gets rid of tension and anxiety from a person's life. (Susan Aldridge, University of Missouri, Columbia, July 2003)

Immune System

The immune system is one of the most important parts of our body. It is set up so it can protect our body from all sorts of harmful substances. Harmful substances can be bacteria, viruses, chemicals etc. The immune system is also a very powerful surveillance system, as it can protect the body against cancer. Exercise plays a big role than nutrition. It is a very powerful force as it not only protects the immune system but it also has the capability to enhance it. Studies show that people who go through a regular and proper exercise program (which consists of plain brisk walking) can boost up the defense of their immune system. It also enhances the safety net of the antibodies and the t cells. Protecting the immune system does not require much exercise. It needs a low level of intensive exercise. There might be a link between the immune system and nervous system. (The Cleveland Clinic 2003)

Cardiovascular system

People usually have a lot of problems with their cardiovascular system. It is important that person exercise regularly as the cardiovascular is an important part of the body. It includes our heart, lungs, and blood vessels. These are vital for our body. The blood vessels are especially the most important as they are responsible for feeding the muscles (including arteries and veins). Whenever a person pushes him/her self to exercise, a various number of physiological processes take place. It also helps in increasing the heart beat at the same time. When the heart beat increases, it shows that some work is being performed. This means that the muscles need an increased supply of blood. Exercise provides a healthy outlet for the blood to flow freely without being clotted. It helps our body fat to be utilized as an energy source. Oxygen is required in order to produce this energy. Therefore oxygen is a necessity for our muscles. All this benefits our cardiovascular system and allows it to work in tandem with the nervous and immune system. (Dan Strayton, 2002)

Nervous System

The nervous system is an important part of our body. It is said that a person can get rid of an entire day of stress with exercise. It is said that the nervous system is linked to the entire body. If a person gets angry or annoyed, the body clenches up due to the nervous system for the body. However it is equally important that in order for our nervous system to work we should get some exercise. The nervous system is connected to the spine and the brain. It is important for us to exercise the body so that our nervous system performs efficiently.

It sets the flow of blood flowing freely towards the nervous system and allows the neurons to communicate freely with the rest of the body. Proper exercise relaxes the muscles in the nervous system. It is important that the nervous system be protected of all injuries as it's the nucleus of the body. There may be a scenario where a person is injured and exercises properly, then there are a lot of chances that the nervous system can function properly. When the muscles are smoothened it's easier for the body to work and does not allow any major problems. The nervous system also depends on the healthy flow of oxygen to generate blood. Oxygen is also a very important item for the brain as it needs it to function. If a person exercises new blood is created and it flows more easily. This allows fresh oxygen to flow towards the nervous system.