Are you feeling depressed? Lethargic? A new study says you may just need to go for a run, as the misery of running will distract you from your depression.
According to the American Psychological Association, 9 out of 10 patients who go running forget their depression because it replaces the feeling of sadness with fear of imminent death. Running raises the heart rate and quickens the pace of breathing, giving people a feeling of absolute misery. Misery that makes people forget about being sad, doctors say.
"It feels a lot like drowning in the open air — you're just struggling to stay alive, and that's an absolutely miserable feeling," said noted psychiatrist and depression expert Dr. Natalie Sailes. "There's no drug in the world that distracts from depression as well. Except maybe crack cocaine, and I'm not allowed to sell that anymore."
The research indicated that running could potentially treat all types of depression, such as clinical, bipolar, and even the fake seasonal one. "The misery of going for a run will distract almost anyone from their severe crippling depression," said Dr. Nanton Wrickets, a member of the APA board. "But running is the worst. That's why I'm still depressed. I prefer the depression over the running."
According to health experts, the misery of running could be mitigated by buying a treadmill. The act itself is still miserable, but the dopamine hit from buying an expensive gadget to play with gives you a head start in fighting your depression.
Unfortunately, after resting up from a good run, the feeling of depression almost always returns. It's a phenomenon called "Just Let Me Sit A Bit And Think — Oh Wait". It's why many doctors now recommend that if a person tries running, they just keep running until they die.
Every year, millions of Americans struggle with depression. Are you one of them? The next time you're feeling blue, try going for a run, because the misery of running may be just the distraction you need.
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