That Pritkin place has all the answers, I was fascinated to see something recently which could have a bearing on all of us, with many children suffering more stress and depression than ever as they grow up.

It seems that several studies have found that regular exercise fights depression in adults, and now research indicates the same may be the case for children.

In a two-year study scientists found that the more physically active the middle-schoolers were, the less likely they were to suffer symptoms of depression, such as anxiety and fatigue.


It is a bit of a chicken and egg thing, scientists do not really know which came first: the depressive feelings that lead to inertia, or a couch potato lifestyle that fed tendencies toward sadness and depression. But, plenty of evidence from studies on adults have shown that exercise is effective in helping treat depression, no matter its cause.

In the fall of 1998, the 4,594 youngsters, all entering the 7th grade, reported their frequency of physical activity and completed the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, a standard screening test for symptoms of depression. The higher the child’s score, the more symptoms that child suffered. The kids repeated the tests at the end of their 7th grade year, and at the end of 8th grade.

Overall, the scientists found that when the exercise levels went up, depression symptoms went down, and when activity levels went down, depression scores shot up.

They noted that exercise as treatment for depressive moods is particularly important for children since many doctors are reluctant to treat kids with anti-depressant medication, and for good reason. The safety of these drugs for children and adolescents is still questionable. Regular exercise, may well prove to be a safe, drug-free, and effective option for kids fighting feelings of depression.

Of course, in combination with a healthy diet regular exercise can also help overweight children slim down and, in doing so, help alleviate the emotional damage, including feelings of depression, that many overweight kids endure * the result of being teased by other kids for being fat.

So looks like we will all have to get moving more!

Hi,
Although antidepressants have been proven effective, many doctors prescribe counseling or psychotherapy as an additional method of treatment. The basic principle behinds such treatments stem from Freudian psychoanalysis. The idea is to first help the individual identify his or her issues and then to help them cope with the accompanying emotions. Such treatment has proven to be quite effective for moderate depression in particular.

I think you are right all these things can help but then I think that exercise can too. I recently went through a very difficult time and found that long walks with the dog cleared the mind and helped me feel better, even it it was only for a while In the depths of the problem I went out with my wife for the whole day for a long walk on the coast, our troubles literally floated away! They are there we you come home of course, but it was good to have a break. Counselling is goo too as it gets you to see things differently when you speak to a professional person not connected to the problems you have.

We all know that exercise is good for not only our waistlines, but also our health. We read and hear about the many health benefits of exercise every day. Sure, it’s a great goal to want to fit into that cute dress for New Year’s Eve, but while you are working towards that, you are also increasing your overall health.

That is very true, exercise is what our bodies thrive on. It can be more or less dependent on life style and what we like to do but it must always be something. I have a very sedentary job and I have to make sure that I get out for a good walk every day. I find it helps with everything from my mood to how well I sleep. Some gentle regular exercise is not to be underestimated.