It’s so easy to fall off our exercise routine. Life, kids, work, and just about everything else can get in the way and most of us allow it to happen. But, did you know that withdrawal from regular moderate physical activity for even two weeks can contribute to feelings of depression and fatigue? According to a study done by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), this is the case.
I did a blog earlier on how exercise can help with depression and for most cases is prescribed over medication. This study shows that even if you’ve never gone through depression, stopping your exercise routine can actually lead to you feeling down and tired. My husband is an avid cyclist, but being in sales his job is very demanding. Cycling is his way of getting out his aggressions. When he hasn’t gone out for a ride or exercised for a few days, I basically kick him out of the house and tell him to go. He starts getting tired and run down and not in a very good mood. I know when I stop exercising it really changes my attitude as well. I’m sure most of you can relate. So, here are the facts of the study.
The study involved 40 adults ages 18-45 who were put into two groups. One group discontinued their physical activity program for two weeks while the other group kept on exercising.
They were evaluated at the beginning, at one week, and then at two weeks. After one week, changes were already noticeable. After two weeks, significant higher negative mood scores were recorded for those who stopped exercising compared to the group who continued exercising.
In a nut shell, interruption in our exercise routine can put us in a bad mood. Try not to let it go for too long. I’m a better mom when I can get mine in as I can deal with all those fun motherhood ordeals with a little more tolerance. I just feel much better all over and I bet you do too. Here is just another reason to keep on exercising.