Results are in. Regular exercise is not only a vital contributor to fitness and health, but is the key to boosting mental health. Evidence clearly shows that exercise is the magic bullet in combating illness in all areas of our being – physical, mental and emotional.

At Mountain Trek we know how exercise contributes to fitness and weight loss– we’ve built our program around it. We’ve also been witness to the stress release and mood elevation experienced with every guest that comes through the Mountain Trek program.

Prescriptions vs. An Active Life

There is a growing backlash against looking for a cure to depression in a prescription bottle alone. With new research showing that antidepressants can actually cause depression, many are turning to natural and holistic solutions. Dr. Peter Breggin, Harvard-trained psychiatrist points this out in his article on antidepressants:

It has been apparent for many years that chronic exposure to SSRI antidepressants frequently makes people feel apathetic or less engaged in their lives, and ultimately more depressed.

With antidepressants being the second most prescribed group of drugs in America, there is a pressing need to reclaim our natural birthright of health and vitality another way.

Studies show that exercising, in conjunction with anti-depressants produces better results than medication alone. As a preventive measure, or as a management strategy in conjunction with prescription medication, exercise deserves a closer look as a better solution to combating depression.

So what happens during exercise to shift your mood and outlook on life? Besides obvious benefits to the rest of your body, let’s take a look at what happens in the brain.

Moving Makes Your Brain Work Better

Exercise causes a variety of chemical reactions that help with everything from improving your memory to your mood, and to getting better sleep– naturally. This article from Shape magazine explains how exercise can:

• Rebuild and generate new neurons resulting in increased brainpower.
• Slow aging and improve cognitive ability in seniors.
• Enhance mood and resistance due to endorphins

Treat your brain to self esteem and mood enhancement, and give your memory a boost with exercise; the best preventive medicine that doesn’t come in a bottle.