Alarming statistics tell us that 4.5 million Australians will experience some form of mental illness in 2011. Mental illness is becoming a greater strain on our health services, and many people are still unable to seek out the help they need.
The good news is, regular exercise has been proven to treat depression, improving mood, and people who exercise regularly experience fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, than those who do not.
On September 1, Spring 30 Days of Feel Good Fitness launched nationwide.
This initiative has been created to get people moving, aiming to raise over $500,000 for the Black Dog Institute, and encouraging people to experience the impact exercise can have on mood.
Sign up – it isn’t too late and enjoy 30 minutes of exercise each day! And even if you are not specifically a part of this program, you can still give exercise a try and encourage people around you to get involved too. Perhaps try holding your own fundraiser in the spirit of Spring 30 Days of Feel Good Fitness and donate to the Black Dog Institute to help research and treat depression.
Gretchen Masters, Personal Trainer and Founder of Spring 30 Days of Feel Good Fitness said, “Growing up in a house that often felt dominated by my mother’s bi-polar disorder was extremely difficult. My mum has been in and out of psychiatric wards for as long as I can remember. I decided I wanted to do something to help raise awareness of depression, and the effects it has on families, as well as raising funds for research into how to combat this devastating disease.”
Resistance or strength training and aerobic exercise, have all been found to be beneficial for depression. Exercising can help treat depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is known to affect and be associated with mood, appetite, sleep patterns and other equilibrium function within the body. It also helps by releasing more endorphins, the ‘feel good chemical’.
The Black Dog Institute has carried out research into the benefits of exercise and how it impacts on your mental health. Several trials have shown that regular exercise of moderate intensity can be an effective treatment by itself, for mild to moderate depression.
For further information about the program go here: http://www.springfitness.com.au
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