Physical exercise as an ally in combating depression

Research on depression, anxiety, and exercise has shown that the psychological and physical benefits of exercise can also improve mood and decrease anxiety.

Regular physical exercise can provide relief to people with depression or anxiety problems because:

• It releases endorphins that generate a sense of well-being. Endorphins are natural brain chemicals that have an effect similar to that of cannabis, for example, and can increase feelings of well-being.
• Free your mind from worries. It allows you to break free from the cycle of negative thoughts that fuel depression and anxiety.

In addition, exercising regularly provides many psychological and emotional benefits.

It can help you to:

• Gaining confidence. Achieving exercise goals or challenges, even modest ones, can boost self-confidence. Getting fit can also make you feel better about your physical appearance.
• Increase your social interaction. Exercise and physical activity can give you the opportunity to meet other people and socialize. Sometimes, exchanging a friendly smile or greeting people while walking around your neighborhood can improve your mood.
• Cope with problems in a healthy way. Doing positive things to manage depression or anxiety is a healthy strategy.

That regular physical exercise is necessary and healthy is a widely accepted statement. The difficulty often arises when choosing a suitable activity to begin with.

Which sport is best for me?

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For this reason, Nordic walking has become an increasingly popular activity over the years because it can be done anywhere, is suitable for all kinds of people regardless of age or fitness level, and requires no special clothing or accessories other than the poles. The technique is easy to learn, and when practiced in a group, it's a very sociable exercise. The pace of the walk allows for conversation, enhancing the enjoyment.

Nordic walking: much more than walking with poles

Currently, many primary care centers and mental health centers already incorporate Nordic walking programs for the public because it is one of the most beneficial sports for health.

It is a safe and suitable activity for all types of people, with a simple technique, a very low risk of injury, and allows for individual or group practice, which can be very beneficial for mental health.

Nordic walking is much more than walking with poles , as it involves incorporating the active use of a pair of poles specially designed for propulsion into the natural walking pattern.

This activity activates almost 90% of our muscles, provided it is done with the correct technique, as it works the entire body in a symmetrical, safe and balanced way.

Benefits of regularly practicing Nordic walking

For our body

• Increases cardiopulmonary capacity
• Increase your calorie intake
• It activates the metabolism , that is, the process that converts food into the energy that allows us to do everything we need as human beings, both physically and mentally.
• It helps prevent back pain by releasing tension in the neck and shoulders, osteoporosis, heart disease, asthma, or strokes .
• It improves the symptoms of patients with fibromyalgia, lower back pain, cramps or occasional leg pain, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, Parkinson's disease, and respiratory illnesses, among others.

For our mind

• It improves the psychological and social state of patients with depression or stress.
• It has been shown that exercising in nature improves mood.

Photos by tulankide via Flickr and PSI/PCA Program. Cerdanyola. PSSJD.