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    Let’s Go for a Walk: How Regular Exercise Can Aid Mental Health

    March 4, 2019

    By now, most of us know that exercise offers numerous health benefits. From maintaining an ideal weight, to reducing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis, moving our body every day improves the length and quality of our lives.

    But not all of us recognize just how important exercise is to our mental health.

    Beyond Hormone Release

    Most of us have had that rush after a hike or trip to the gym. We feel energetic and even happy after we exercise. Of course, we now know that when we exercise, our body releases “feel-good” hormones such as endorphins and enkephalins. These hormones instantly improve our mood and outlook on life.

    But is that all exercise is good for? A quick fix? An instant mood pick-me-up via a hormonal rush? Or can exercise effect our brains and mental health on a fundamental level?

    A study conducted by researchers from Duke University compared the antidepressant effects of aerobic exercise to the popular antidepressant medicine sertraline, as well as a placebo sugar pill. After four months the researcher found that those subjects who exercised regularly experienced the greatest antidepressant effect.

    In other words, exercise was scientifically proven to be just as, if not more effective than prescription medications at relieving symptoms of depression.

    How is this possible?

    It turns out, regular exercise increases the volume of certain brain regions through better blood supply and an increase in neurotrophic factors and neurohormones that support neuron signaling, growth, and connections.

    Also worth mentioning is the fact that exercise leads to the creation of new hippocampal neurons, the hippocampus being incredibly important for learning, memory creation, and emotion regulation.

    So, How Much Exercise Do You Need?

    Psychiatrist Madhukar Trivedi of UT Southwestern Medical Center has shown that three or more sessions per week of aerobic exercise or resistance training, for 45 to 60 minutes per session, can help treat even chronic depression. The key here is regularity, so it’s important to focus on the kind of exercise you do.

    If you don’t like going to the gym, then find another activity. Hike, bike, swim, or dance. It really doesn’t matter. What matters is that you get your body moving for around an hour a few times per week and you do so consistently.

    In order for all of us to be entirely healthy, that means physically as well as mentally healthy, it’s important to incorporate exercise into our every day life.


    Harini Sukumaran is a Licensed Individual ( Women), Child & Family Counselor, Play Therapist, Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner/ Trainer, Reiki Grand Master and Yoga Teacher. She is passionate about helping children of all ages ( 3+ yrs ) holistically to become less stressed by giving them and their parents tools, support and encouragement. Her specialization also includes helping Women suffering from trauma, PTSD depression, anxiety and Pregnancy/Postpartum mood disorders. Harini’s passion for holistic treatment of Mind and Body motivated her to create MindTree, a Holistic Counseling & Wellness Center to help Individuals (Women), children ( Play Therapy) and families in Portland, OR.

    MindTree Holistic Counseling & Wellness Center LLC
    5440 SW Westgate Dr # 210
    Portland, Oregon 97221

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    mindtree

    MindTree Holistic Counseling & Wellness Center LLC


    5440 SW Westgate Dr, #210
    Portland, Oregon 97221

    Phone: (503) 766-4895
    Fax: (503) 716-4699
    Email us: info@mindtreeholisticcounseling.com


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    Counseling & Wellness Services Portland OR
    A Website by Brighter Vision | Privacy Policy

    • Home
    • Telehealth
    • About
      • Our Team
      • Our Office
      • COVID 19 Response
      • Join Our Team
      • COVID 19 Safety Protocol
    • Services
      • Family Counseling
      • Counseling for Women
      • Play Therapy for Children and Teens Approach
      • Pregnancy and Postpartum Therapy
      • Counseling for Men
      • Relationship & Couples Counseling
      • Yoga & Mindfulness for Children
      • Psychotherapeutic Reiki for Women’s Anxiety
      • Distance Reiki Healing
      • Reiki Energy Healing for Children
    • Getting Started
      • Appointment Request
      • Client Forms
      • FAQs
      • Rates & Insurance
      • Pay My Bill
      • Resources
        • Recent News
        • Mental Health Links
        • Physical Health Links
        • Mental Health Resources – Portland
    • Blog
    • Dhyana Yoga/Movement Studio
      • Rent our Event center
      • Class Schedule
      • Parent Mentoring – CPRT
    • Training
      • About Institute
      • Integrative Reiki – Level 1 & 2
    • Contact