Movement is Powerful

For mild to moderate depression, studies show that moving your body can be AS GOOD AS an anti-depressant. For severe depression, it is a an amazing adjunctive therapy.

Studies have been done with lots of different types of movement, and the best thing seems to be the thing you enjoy - the thing you can stick to.

⚽️🧗‍♀️⚾️🏊‍♀️👨‍🦽🏈💃🎳⛸🎿🥋🚴‍♂️🏋‍♂️⛹🚣‍♂️

A variety of different types of movement can be wonderful, too, for your overall health.

Multiple different brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex, the anterior cingulate, the corpus callosum, the cingulum, and the hippocampus are often smaller in people with major depression. But guess what?! Exercise has been shown to boost brain plasticity and increase BDNF levels, a brain chemical that encourages neural growth in these very areas. 🧠💪

And did you know that just 20 minutes of movement RIGHT NOW could impact your mood almost immediately? It's hard to find anything that is that effective that quickly. 🙌

Want to learn more? If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or message me directly. If you’d like more personalized guidance, schedule an appointment or a free 15-minute discovery call with me! I’d love to work with you.

Sources: PMID 29122145, PMID 31389872

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Erica Golden, RDN, LD, IFNCP

@nourishedmindnutrition
Mental health, gut health, & eating disorder dietitian