Fight Depression with Meditation & Movement

Move Better, Feel Better is on the back of our t-shirts at Impact Rehab & Wellness. It’s something we try to instill in our patients. Sometimes something as simple as breathing and moving can help you feel better!

15 million Americans suffer from depression! Exercise has been found to reduce the symptoms. This is because exercise promotes the release of endorphins, which can improve your mood.

Rutger University did a study in 2016 combining meditation and exercise. They found that people who suffered from mild to moderate depression reported a 40% decrease in symptoms after 8 weeks of meditation followed by aerobic exercise!

What You Should Do

The researchers at Rutgers University recommend the following:

• Meditate for 30 minutes. For the first 20 minutes you should be still and focused on your breathing. During the last 10 minutes you should slowly walk in a circle, focusing on the movement of your feet.

• After meditating, you should exercise for 30 minutes by taking a brisk walk or cycling. Any kind of moderate, aerobic exercise will do!

• Finally, a 5 minute cool down with slow walking and/or stretching is the best way to end the exercise.

They recommend that you perform this meditation and exercise combination at least twice a week.

So get out there, breathe the fresh Oklahoma air, and enjoy a walk to help yourself feel better. Make a positive IMPACT on your health and wellness!

REFERENCES

_{Alderman, B., Olson, R., Brush, C. et al. MAP training: combining meditation and aerobic exercise reduces depression and rumination while enhancing synchronized brain activity. Transl Psychiatry 6, e726 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2015.225}