Unveil The Effects Of Depression On Physical Fitness

Depression is a worldwide mental disorder that affects almost 80% of the population at some point in their life. It is normal to feel sad, but when it becomes a serious issue and starts affecting physical and emotional well-being, it has to be treated accordingly. If not treated, this mental state can drive a person to harm himself or even commit suicide. In this blog, we are going to discuss not only the link between mental and physical well-being but also the effects of depression on the overall health of a person.

A] Knowing Depression

Experiencing depression after a trauma or grief is normal. But if this depression extends beyond two weeks, it indicates a serious issue. Depression is a brain disorder that leads to feelings of anguish, sadness and persistent low mood. Long-term depression can lead to certain physical illnesses, and it can, in turn, exacerbate depression. It is a vicious cycle that needs to be broken at the mental level. Untreated depression can disrupt the daily life of a person as it can affect every organ of your body.

So how does exercise help with depression? Endorphins play a crucial role in mitigating depressive symptoms. Endorphins are the hormones released when you feel sad or are under stress. They are responsible for relieving pain, de-stressing, and uplifting the mood. Indulging in some physical activity releases a huge amount of endorphins in the body. Thus, when you feel depressed, it is best to engage in some form of exercise, which will immediately enhance the mood and fight depression naturally.

B] Symptoms of depression

Experiencing more than 5 symptoms for a long time indicates that a person is suffering from clinical depression.

• A constant feeling of sadness or emptiness
• Feeling of unworthiness
• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• Chronic fatigue
• Trouble in concentration
• Disrupted sleep cycle
• Unintended sudden weight loss or weight gain
• Constant suicidal thoughts

C] Effects of depression on the body

• Digestive system: The early signs of depression can be observed in the digestive system. Eating disorders like loss of appetite, stress eating, or aversion to food are the long-term effects of depression. It can also cause diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation or inflammation of the gut. Lack of gut health might also deprive the body of nutrition and worsen the depression.
• Central Nervous System: An untreated depression can lead to a change in the brain chemistry and structure. It affects the brain’s functioning, alters the neurotransmitters and influences cognitive functions. A simple task can also become very difficult to perform if the brain is not in line with the body.
• Immunity: Depression the cortisol levels in the body, suppressingthe immune response. There is an increased inflammation in the body. The compromised immunity makes you vulnerable to various infectious diseases. The GI disturbances also lead to a deficiency of antioxidants and further weaken the immune system.
• Weight gain: Depression leads to the release of cortisol. Cortisol is directly connected with the weight gain. Also,with depression, one tends to overeat or binge eat high-calorie comfort foods. Most of the time, binge eating happens during late nights, which further leads to weight gain. Depression is associated with a feeling of sluggishness and loss of interest in any physical activity, which also leads to weight gain.

• Inflammation: Depression is the stress response of the brain. Any stress in the body leads to a release of free radicals along with the stress hormones. This leads to inflammation in the body. Lack of antioxidants in the diet can further worsen the inflammation in the body. The inflammation can lead to various health issues if not treated on time.
• Cardiac health: One of the depression-related diseasesis cardiac disorders. With depression, there is constriction of blood vessels and hardening of the walls of blood vessels. The constriction leads to an increase in blood pressure and might cause angina or cardiac arrest in extreme cases. People from the age groups of 40 to 80 are more prone to cardiac issues while battling depression.
• Sleep disturbance: While experiencing depression,one might have a disturbing sleep cycle. Either the person has a very fragile short sleep time or might sleep for long hours. Sleeping time does not coincide with the body’s normal circadian rhythm and might cause sleep-related illnesses. Even while sleeping, the mind is not at rest, adding to the stress and inflammation.

D] Strategies to overcome depression

• Workout regime:Schedule a workout regime that coincides with the time when you have strong feelings of depression. Achieving the workout target boosts confidence and releases feel-good hormones. Walks, swimming, and jogging all have positive effects on depression. A minimum of a half-hour workout daily can bring a positive desired change. Along with cardio, strength and resistance, training can also help boost confidence and fight depression as it channels your inner frustration and sadness.
• Support groups:Regular interaction with the support group helps you express your feelings and remove all your inner doubts. Such support groups offer emotional support and remove the feeling of unworthiness.
• Collaboration of mental health expert and fitness expert:It is always best to have a collaboration of your mental health expert and fitness expert for the maximum benefit of the client. It enhances the overall well-being of a person, not just at a mental level but also on a physical level. This can, at some point, help to break the vicious cycle of depression and its effects on physical activity.
• Build apps and websites for easy access:Use apps and websites that give you easy access to such support groups, counsellors and physical fitness trainers who not only work on physical fitness but also on mental fitness.

Conclusion

A holistic life approach under the guidance of a lifestyle coach and a physical fitness trainer will help fight depression and the impact of depression on physical fitness. Connect with one of the best personal fitness trainers in Mumbai for exemplified integration of mental and physical health.

Sudam Shelar

Sudam Shelar is a certified fitness expert and health coach, specializing in personalized training and nutritional guidance for optimal well-being. With a keen focus on dynamic workouts, corrective exercises, and tailored programs, he excels in muscle rehabilitation, personal training, and holistic wellness.