Exercise and Depression

TOPS News

At the May 28 meeting of Imperial TOPS NE0267, Barb was the best loser. She also presented a program on Exercise and Depression, from a booklet published by journeyworks.com.

More Advantages of Exercise

Although depression is often a physiological condition treated with combinations of medication and talk therapy, exercise can help you feel better about yourself and get you out and about, which helps with sadness caused by loneliness.

According to Web MD, exercise releases endorphins, which trigger positive feelings and also act as analgesics, which diminish the perception of pain. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce stress, boost self-esteem, and improve sleep. And of course exercise also benefits your heart, blood pressure, muscle tone and strength, and your bones. And it helps reduce body fat.

The types of exercise that are suggested by Web MD for depression are biking, dancing, gardening, housework (sweeping, mopping, vacuuming), jogging at a moderate pace, low-impact aerobics, tennis, swimming, walking, yard work, and yoga. Group exercise makes it even more beneficial because of the added social engagement.

Challenges

1. “2:00 p.m. TOPS Move”: Stop whatever you’re doing at 2 p.m. and move around or stretch for at least 5 minutes. Chances are, while you’re up, you’ll do more than that.
2. Eat a combination of four servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

Contest

In addition to the new Summer TOPS Queen contest, which will go from June 4 to July 30, there will also be a 4-week Independence Day contest, to start next week and go through Thursday, July 9. The new contest will involve weight loss, the 2:00 p.m. TOPS move at least 5 days a week, and attending the meeting.

Come Join Us!

TOPS Club meets from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursdays at the Imperial Community Center, with weigh-ins beginning at 8:30. The first meeting is free. Find out more at www.TOPS.org.