Photo from howtoenddepression.blogspot.com
The newest antidepressant on the market doesn’t come in pill form; it comes on three wheels and one zooms down the street on it, laughing with glee all the while. The newest antidepressant is called a Trikke and it is no lie: carving not only increases one’s feeling of well-being but also one’s feeling of accomplishment, pride and any other good emotion that one would hope to capture in one’s brain.
As we begin to vacate the months of SAD (seasonal affective disorder) due to a lack of sunlight, warmth and inhospitable outdoor conditions, we begin to shake out our tight muscles and tune up our 3CV’s. Not quite there yet? I’m just coming out of a very dark funk myself, so I looked research on depression and exercise and found solid proof that you can lighten your mood with a ride on your Trikke, or even a walk around the block for that matter.
Exercise triggers endorphins, our feel good hormone. It also sparks norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that improves mood. Exercise helps us get to sleep faster and sleep more deeply, and if you have ever gone without sleep for any amount of time you know, first hand, how depressing that can be.
Another benefit of exercise: it strengthens social interactions: think group rides, buddy rides or LSM’s. Exercise builds confidence and promotes positive thoughts, and reduces negative ones. Should I mention the obvious here and comment on the cardiovascular benefits, weight control, disease prevention properties and overall strengthening results? I think not. If you need more convincing, go here to find out more about how exercise helps fight depression.
So why are you still reading this and not out on your own 3CV? How’s this for a final thought… While antidepressants take a few weeks to be effective, exercise gives immediate clearing of our own personal dark cloud(s). Next time you are in a low hanging weather system, mount your Trikke for some relief.
About Jeri Thompson
