The Fight for Fitness » Mental Health http://blakehagen.com Getting fit. Eating Healthy. Staying Happy. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:00:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Run Today http://blakehagen.com/2011/05/run-today/ http://blakehagen.com/2011/05/run-today/#comments Wed, 04 May 2011 15:48:46 +0000 Blake http://blakehagen.com/?p=2498 I was frustrated this morning. I ran for 30 minutes. I feel better now.

That is all.

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]]> http://blakehagen.com/2011/05/run-today/feed/ 0 Your Brain on Exercise http://blakehagen.com/2011/04/your-brain-on-exercise/ http://blakehagen.com/2011/04/your-brain-on-exercise/#comments Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:26:54 +0000 Blake http://blakehagen.com/?p=2366

“Increasing blood flow to the brain [via exercise] stimulates the release of mood-elevating hormones. The same neurochemicals  that relax the blood vessels relax the brain. This helps both body and brain cope with stress.”

“Exercise helps the body muster up its own internal medicine to combat depression and worry. For most people, exercise is a healthier alternative to mood-altering medications.”

– The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood, William Sears, M.D., et. al.

Life is tough. No question. Exercise can help you cope. Get some.

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]]> http://blakehagen.com/2011/04/your-brain-on-exercise/feed/ 1 News Flash: Exercise Boosts Your Mood http://blakehagen.com/2011/02/news-flash-exercise-boosts-your-mood/ http://blakehagen.com/2011/02/news-flash-exercise-boosts-your-mood/#comments Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:18:22 +0000 Blake http://blakehagen.com/?p=2289

“After just 25 minutes, your mood improves, you are less stressed, you have more energy — and you’ll be motivated to exercise again tomorrow. A bad mood is no longer a barrier to exercise; it is the very reason to exercise.”

– Jasper Smits, director of the Anxiety Research and Treatment Program at Southern Methodist University

This isn’t anything new but it is worth noting. Here is a great reason to exercise TODAY. It really does work. Try it.

Source: ScienceDaily: Mental Health Providers Should Prescribe Exercise More Often for Depression, Anxiety, Research Suggests

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]]> http://blakehagen.com/2011/02/news-flash-exercise-boosts-your-mood/feed/ 0 Exercise and Your Brain http://blakehagen.com/2011/02/exercise-and-your-brain/ http://blakehagen.com/2011/02/exercise-and-your-brain/#comments Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:05:49 +0000 Blake http://blakehagen.com/?p=2261 A new study found that moderate aerobic exercise in previously sedentary adults can help increase the size of the brain’s hippocampus, which can lead to improved memory:

“The results of our study are particularly interesting in that they suggest that even modest amounts of exercise by sedentary older adults can lead to substantial improvements in memory and brain health.”

– Art Kramer, director of the Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois and senior author of this study.

Read the entire article at ScienceDaily.

Just another reason to start the exercise habit now, no matter what stage you are at in life.

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]]> http://blakehagen.com/2011/02/exercise-and-your-brain/feed/ 2 Anxiety http://blakehagen.com/2010/09/anxiety/ http://blakehagen.com/2010/09/anxiety/#comments Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:19:13 +0000 Blake http://blakehagen.com/?p=1886

“Studies have found that exercise improves mood and modestly decreases anxiety symptoms. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on all or most days.”

– Harvard Health Publications: Worried or Anxious? Tips for Coping

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]]> http://blakehagen.com/2010/09/anxiety/feed/ 1 Melanie Oudin Believes http://blakehagen.com/2009/09/melanie-oudin-believes/ http://blakehagen.com/2009/09/melanie-oudin-believes/#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:12:35 +0000 Blake http://blakehagen.com/?p=580 I’ve enjoyed watching the US Open this weekend.  I’ve especially enjoyed watching the young American Melanie Oudin continue her run through the field, upsetting highly ranked players (Dementieva, Sharapova, Petrova) along the way. 

In each of these matches, she’s dropped the first set, only to rally and win the next two each time.  She’s fun to watch, and she’s got some cool sneakers.  Written on them: “Believe.” 

Melanie Oudin Shoes

What I love about this is that she’s obviously put in the time and effort to get to where she is.  Now it’s starting to pay off.  She believes in herself and her game. 

Good message for everyone.  We have to believe.  Believe that we can succeed, get healthy, or reach any goal.  Work, effort, patience, and belief are necessary. 

Catch her next match against #9 seed Caroline Wozniacki Wednesday on ESPN2.

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]]> http://blakehagen.com/2009/09/melanie-oudin-believes/feed/ 1 The Best Docs http://blakehagen.com/2009/09/the-best-docs/ http://blakehagen.com/2009/09/the-best-docs/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:57:00 +0000 Blake http://blakehagen.com/?p=578

“The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they’ll ease
Your will they’ll mend
And charge you not a shilling.”

–Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990

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]]> http://blakehagen.com/2009/09/the-best-docs/feed/ 2 Save Your Brain http://blakehagen.com/2009/06/save-your-brain/ http://blakehagen.com/2009/06/save-your-brain/#comments Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:32:05 +0000 Blake http://blakehagen.com/?p=509

“It really is never too late to start exercising.  Even people who remain sedentary most of their life can benefit from participating in an exercise regimen.  The second thing that is important for keeping a healthy brain as you age is to remain intellectually curious.  That is, don’t be afraid to learn new things. Pursue things that you find interesting and try to search out new and novel avenues for your mind and brain to work on.”

– Kirk Erickson, Ph.D on Saving Your Aging Brain [via CNN.com here].

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]]> http://blakehagen.com/2009/06/save-your-brain/feed/ 2 Perseverance http://blakehagen.com/2009/05/perseverance/ http://blakehagen.com/2009/05/perseverance/#comments Wed, 20 May 2009 03:53:13 +0000 Blake http://blakehagen.com/?p=490

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.”

– Walter Elliott

One step at a time. 

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]]> http://blakehagen.com/2009/05/perseverance/feed/ 0 Some Ideas on How to Cope with Stress http://blakehagen.com/2009/04/some-ideas-on-how-to-cope-with-stress/ http://blakehagen.com/2009/04/some-ideas-on-how-to-cope-with-stress/#comments Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:48:41 +0000 Blake http://blakehagen.com/?p=447

“Eat right, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water and engage in regular physical activity. Ensure you have a healthy mind and body through activities like yoga, taking a short walk, going to the gym or playing sports that will enhance both your physical and mental health.”

– Stress Tip Sheet, at the American Psychological Association Help Center

Yes, sometimes easier said than done, but some of these consistently work for me.  What about you?

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