No lifter worth his weight in iron thinks his workouts are for the benefit of, or fueled by, his body alone. You know that with each repetition, you are training your muscles and your mind to be strong and powerful, and that you use both to achieve the desired results.
It was probably a combination of the two that motivated you to start exercising in the first place. Set a goal to be physically strong and fit usually stems from a desire not to feel otherwise mentally. Maybe you decided a long time ago that you never (or ever again) wanted to feel helpless. You found a healthy way to gain more control over your life and how you feel, and started working on both mind and body. Exercising became a way and a way of coping with life.
However, while exercise can often help you beat depression and stave off negative feelings, “it doesn’t guarantee that everything in one’s life will run smoothly,” says Kate Hays, a Toronto psychologist who practices sports psychology.
In the face of a major stressor, you may begin to feel like you did before you started exercising: unable to make anything happen. It is at these times that you may be vulnerable to depression. If negative thoughts or depressed mood become more frequent, more intense, or last longer than usual, it is important to seek professional help. Studies have shown that a combination of exercise and psychotherapy is the best recipe for depression. Like going to the gym, seeking help for depression requires commitment to the process and patience in seeing results. And just like starting an exercise regimen, most people feel better right away simply for taking the first step.
MORE THAN THE BLUES
Sure, you think you can solve anything by exercising. But even the toughest guy should be aware of some common depression triggers:
Injury: Since exercising is part of your coping strategy, routine, identity, and even your social network, a physical injury can be a real mental to delay. Also, since exercise can work as an antidepressant, “when you can’t exercise, you can’t get the physiological mood boost,” says Hays.
overtraining: “One of the typical signs of someone who is overtraining is the [his or her] mood gets worse,” says Hays. You may have difficulty concentrating or sleeping, or be irritable. Hays warns that a “negative spiral” can develop if you try to alleviate these symptoms by training even harder.
personal loss: A sudden or tragic event can disrupt your routine, your resources, and ultimately your mood.
Family history of depression: According to Hays, you can lower your risk of developing depression by exercising, but exercise “doesn’t prevent depression from happening.”
Chronic negative perceptions: Athletes who respond negatively to stressors are at risk for depression. Not seeing the desired results in the gym? Depression can set in if you interpret the setback in a negative way. Say to yourself, “I haven’t set realistic goals for myself,” instead of “I’m weak.”