Life Balanced

When I’m depressed or sad, I often turn to exercise (OK, I’ve been known to hit Ben & Jerry’s on occasion as well). It gives me a chance clear my thoughts, sweat it out of my system and I also get the benefits of getting in shape at the same time.

A recent study came out that saying that exercise is on par with drugs for treating depression.

In a study of 202 depressed adults, investigators found that those who went through group-based exercise therapy did as well as those treated with an antidepressant drug. A third group that performed home-based exercise also improved, though to a lesser degree.

Importantly, the researchers found, all three groups did better than a fourth group given a placebo — an inactive pill identical to the antidepressant.

For people who face serious depression, I’m a supporter of prescribed medication, but for those of us who face everyday doldrums, a rotten day at work, or a breakup, there are lots of things in addition to exercise that take the edge off. Here are ten of my favorites:

• Retail therapy - I always keep the receipts in case I want to return items after I cheer up
• Dinner or happy hour with friends
• Spend time with children - kids always seem to bring me back to what is important, and they also say the funniest things
• Watch a beautiful sunset
• Lose myself in a good book
• Write in my journal - getting it on paper is always therapeutic for me
• Walk on the beach
• Dance to disco - I Will Survive is always a good one!
• Plan a vacation - gives me something to look forward to

What are some of the ways you cheer yourself up?