Exercise to Improve
Your Body and Your State of Mind
In a recent study of 64
women, half clinically depressed and half not depressed, they were
all given thorough
mind and body check-ups. The
depressed women had less infection fighting cells called Lymphocytes
than the others.
After analyzing the health practices of both groups, researchers
concluded that the weakened immunity was due to physical inactivity.
"While more research is needed, if you're depressed, it appears
that getting out and exercising may help you physically as well as
emotionally", says co-author Sheldon Cohen, Ph.D., psychology
professor, Carnegie Mellon, University Professor.
Regular exercise can also
boost self esteem, particularly in women over 50. A second
group of researchers affiliated with Huntsman World Senior Games
(an annual sports competition
for adults 50 and
up) gave self esteem tests to 450 Huntsman participants and 250 college
students.
The "feel good" winners were the women over 50 who exercised
regularly. They outscored even college athletes in feeling
secure about themselves, reports study author Steven Heiner, Ph.D.,
director of gerontology, Bringham Young University School of Health
Sciences, Provo, UT.
Source: REMEDY Prescriptions For a
Healthy Life, May/June 2000
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