Exercise on an elliptical trainer to improve your mood

Even the most optimistic people have gone through times when they did not see their life in a positive light. Some people struggle with depressed mood on a regular basis, while most become more anxious and depressed in response to a negative event, such as prolonged unemployment, divorce, or the death of a loved one. The medical profession has a number of medications that they can prescribe, but all medications have side effects and may not be as effective in treating the problem. Exercise is one option that can improve your mood and has other positive effects on your overall health. An elliptical trainer has the features that make it an ideal exercise machine to improve your mood.

Research on anxiety, depression, and exercise shows that the psychological and physical benefits of exercise can also help reduce anxiety and improve mood. And after you feel better, continuing to exercise can prevent anxiety and depression from coming back.

Duke University conducted a randomized controlled trial in 1999 that found that depressed adults who participated in an aerobic exercise program improved as much as those treated with sertraline, the drug Pfizer markets as Zoloft.

Phillip Holmes, professor of neuroscience at the University, has shown that several weeks of exercise can activate certain genes that increase the level of galanin in the brain, a peptide neurotransmitter that appears to attenuate the body’s response to stress by regulating another brain chemical , norepinephrine. This causes the brain to show less stress in response to new stimuli.

Exercise releases endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals that help with symptoms of depression. More of these chemicals are released as exercise intensity increases, so it may take less time to exercise to improve your mood when you engage in more vigorous activity. An elliptical trainer can give you the kind of vigorous workout you need to be more effective at fighting anxiety and depression. As your fitness improves, you can really increase the intensity of an elliptical workout by increasing the resistance, incline, or steps per minute. Elliptical training is also effective at changing your body composition, increasing lean body mass and reducing fat, and that can have a positive effect on self-esteem.

Exercise can be an effective way to improve mood and combat anxiety and depression. A new or used elliptical trainer is a great way to get the exercise you need to look and feel your best.

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