Movement as Medicine
Exercise changes how you feel right away.
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That's my favorite thing about exercise, and one of the things that makes it such good medicine if you are depressed or anxious.
Further, physical activity reduces depression risk, is an evidence based treatment for major depression, reduces the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and likely improves some aspects of cognition in ADHD. Physical activity can also reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for people dealing with schizophrenia.
The evidence that movement changes us psychologically, physiologically, and immunologically is overwhelming.
Psychologically, physical activity keeps us in the here and now while increasing our sense of self efficacy.
Physiologically, physical activity increases cerebral blood flow, mitochondria production, serotonin and tryptophan levels, and helps restore the stress response to a healthier state.
Immunologically, physical activity inhibits the production of inflammatory proteins (cytokines) and stimulates secretion of anti-inflammatory proteins.
A nice review of some of these mechanisms can be found here. An easier to read, non-academic review article that is not behind a paywall can be found here.
So, why aren't more people moving in order to feel better? Mostly, I think, it's because the systems in which people seek care are not equipped to help with this.*
Also, it's hard, and the hardest part is getting started. And when do we most desperately need to get started? When we're feeling our worst.
That's when it's nice to have a helper--someone we can trust, who has the training and experience to support us safely while we get moving.
* I could write pages and pages about why that is, but that's already been done by others and rehashing it would just give me a headache, so I won't.