Physical activity is being increasingly recognized as an effective tool to treat depression. New research is finding that moderate exercise can actually prevent episodes of depression in the long term. This study analyzed over 26 years’ worth of research findings to discover that even low levels of physical activity like walking for 20-30 minutes a day can prevent depression in people of all age groups. The research has a clear take home message: If you are currently active, keep it up and if you are not physically active, then now is the time to start.
-American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Dr. Keith & Laurie Nemec comments on Exercise to Prevent and Heal Depression:
What this study shows is what we already know but need to be reminded of. When it comes to mental or physical disease, the answer is always found by going back to basics. What kept people in biblical times living to over 100 years of age remaining strong and vital. It was plenty of sleep (no electricity means you go to sleep when the sun goes down), pure, simple fresh food that had no chemicals, toxins or preservatives, and a lot of good strong exercise, they were constantly physically doing manual labor. The simplest way to improve your health is by doing 7 Basic Steps to Total Health most importantly:
- Food – Are you consuming a diet of living/raw plant food which has the highest energy, bioelectricity, enzymes and bioavailable nutrient content to either maintain or restore your health? The more you eat food in the natural state and with little to no processing the healthier you will be.
- Sleep – Are you sleeping 8.0 hours with 3.0 of them before midnight? The closer you follow the sun the healthier you will be.
- Exercise – Are you exercising 30 minutes every day? This is what the people in this study did; they walked 20-30 minutes every day. We will add not only walking but going up and down stairs is very beneficial to your cardiovascular health.
Do not get overwhelmed start with just one of these until you feel it has become a habit then you can add the next one. So today begin your walking, try to walk 20 minutes and try to find some stairs either at work or home to walk up and down for five minutes. Remember the journey of a thousand miles begins with the FIRST STEP, so take that first step today.
How do you overcome depression and all other dis-eases? It begins going back to the 7 Basic Steps to Total Health.
