Do you know what is the cheapest and easiest way to manage mood disorders is exercise? Exercise is so important for mental health.

When you think about it, it’s a medicine that doesn’t cost anything. Joining a health club or gym isn’t necessary although I have done both. I don’t belong to a gym anymore because I got tired of trying to look “cute” and holding in my gut the whole time.

Plus, I’m highly competitive so that didn’t help.  That means I had to execute all the moves perfectly and have more stamina than anyone else. It was just too much like work. It wasn’t the exercise part, it was putting on a good front. Have I learned to relax a little? Well, I started a Zumba class after that and found myself resorting to some of my old behaviors.

I’m one of those people who really does like to exercise.  Walking is great and I also like my elliptical machine. It’s good to know I’m doing something proactive about my health.  While sometimes, I don’t like “thinking” about it once I get going for a few minutes, I’m on a roll. 

Exercise as a way to fend off anxiety and depression is one of the best “medicines” for both.  Once I started making it a regular, scheduled part of my day, it became a necessity.  Once I realized exercise was the cheapest and easiest ways fo me to feel better.

One of the first chapters I wrote in my book highlighted the various practical methods I use to fend off depression. I extolled the benefits as a therapeutic for mood disorders. Numerous studies prove that exercise works as well if not better than medication for mild to moderate cases of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.

 I always wonder why people are so willing to take another pill when very often exercising and following good health guidelines is so easy. Not to mention cheap. Ask your doctor if you don’t believe me.

The equipment

You don’t need to buy expensive equipment, or a gym membership . You don’t have to enroll in a class. You don’t have to do any of that. You just have to walk thirty minutes about five days a week. Before you give me reasons why you can’t do that, you should know that I’ve had four different foot surgeries. I still have foot problems but I wear good shoes, take Tylenol and just “get ‘er done.”

If I feel like I’m getting anxious, I will very likely take a walk or hop on my treadmill.

The other day I saw a woman in a wheelchair “walking her dog! An elderly neighbor of mine walk with this walker, e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y the weather is good.

If these people can do it for their overall mental and physical health, you can too.

One last thing though.  I sadly admit that even now when I walk I still have to “put on my face”.