Studies show that depressed people can alleviate their symptoms by up to 47% with regular aerobic exercise (source). So not only is exercise good for the body, it is equally - if not more - essential for the mind and brain. Harvard psychiatry professor and author John Ratey states, "people become much more emotionally regulated [with regular exercise] and their cognitive abilities are much better."
This fact is all the more prominent now that the chilly British Autumn has settled in (cue rain, rain, wind, and more rain! - and wet feet and hair, might I add). With sub-SAD (a milder variant of Seasonal affective Disorder) affecting over 90% of the adult population (symptoms including subtle changes in moods, energy and sleep over the season change), it is important to compensate for the lack of sunlight - which results in lower serotonin levels (this is the 'happy' hormone that helps to regulate mood, appetite and energy) - by getting outside as much as possible. Even if all of your body cells are screaming against it, exercising outdoors rather than inside can really benefit you at this time of year!
Exercising outside in the blustery Autumn and Winter months may seem like a necessity that we'd rather do without, but it really can do wonders for your mentality and general mood. I find running in the colder weather more satisfying than in warmer weather conditions - there's something about that cold whip of crisp air that I find oddly invigorating! Compared to the humid temperatures of Summer - well, there's nothing to compare. Combined with the knowledge that a (hopefully) warm shower and home (and dinner, if you're really lucky) is on the cards after your workout, it's all-the-more bearable to maintain your motivation whilst pounding the pavements!
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