At Sherman Oaks Therapy + Wellness, we believe that to effectively treat the whole person, we must consider the relationship between physical and mental health. We understand that starting an exercise routine can be daunting enough, even without the added issues caused by having anxiety or depression.
The Exercise Effect
Exercising starts a biological stream of brain chemicals (endorphins, dopamine, adrenaline and endocannabinoid) that results in health benefits such as decreased somatic symptoms related to mental disorders, increased energy, improved mood, improved sleep and memory, and decreased symptoms of anxiety.
Exercise is a powerful depression fighter for several reasons. In people who are depressed, neuroscientists have noticed that the hippocampus in the brain—the region that helps regulate mood—is smaller. Exercise supports nerve cell growth in the hippocampus, improving nerve cell connections, which helps relieve depression. In addition, it promotes neural growth, reduced inflammation, and new activity patterns that promote feelings of calm and well-being.
Exercise is undoubtedly a form of self-care, allowing you to find some quiet time to break out of the cycle of negative thoughts that feed depression or future-oriented thoughts that feed anxiety. Evidence suggests that by really focusing on your body and how it feels as you exercise, you can actually help your nervous system become “unstuck” and begin to move out of the immobilization (“freeze”) coping response that characterizes
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Studies to date suggest that exercise may in fact lead to a reduction in symptoms among individuals with PTSD.
Getting Started
Mood disorders manifest emotionally as well as physically by causing disturbed sleep, reduced energy, appetite changes, body aches, and increased pain perception, all of which can result in less motivation to exercise. An intense lack of personal motivation which accompanies depression already tends to leave people feeling guilty about all the things they just don’t have the energy or will to do so we work together to facilitate self-compassion and meet you where you’re at. We understand the effort it takes to reach out for physical training and support. Our trainer offers a nonjudgmental space for clients to mindfully, lovingly, confidently return to their bodies.
At Sherman Oaks Therapy & Wellness, we encourage easing into exercise by creating a tailored approach for each client based on their level of comfort. We believe exercise should be an act of self-love and care rather than a goal-oriented activity we do because we “should” do it.
How We Work
Our training program is tailored around the client. Change happens from the inside out, so we believe in using a holistic approach to fitness that leads to confidence and strength in every area of life. Workouts are customized for your specific wants and needs taking into consideration present levels of fitness and health and building from there.
Our holistic training sessions include an educational foundation that will set you up for long-term well-being. Clients also learn strategies for maintaining their practice. Our trainer incorporates varied levels of
- Mat pilates- pilates exercises on the floor using a pilates, or yoga mat. Exercises are performed in a slow, controlled, precise manner and require an intense concentration. The main fitness goals of a mat pilates program include improved flexibility, muscle tone, body balance, spinal support, low back health, sports performance, and body-mind awareness.
- Weight training- Physical training that involves body weights. Benefits include improved posture, better sleep quality, improved balance, gaining bone density, maintaining weight loss, boosting metabolism, lowering inflammation and staving off chronic disease.
- Calisthenics- Systematic rhythmic bodily exercises using your own bodyweight. Fitness goals are often to improve strength, flexibility, agility, balance, coordination, and aerobic conditioning.
- Plyometrics- Plyometrics is a form of intense training that involves the use of a stretch and contraction sequence of muscle fibers to generate great strength at a high speed. Examples include vertical and broad jumps, where you jump as high and/or as far as possible, skipping rope, jumping squats, single leg hopping and clapping push-ups.
Drawing from her therapeutic exercise experience, our trainer has developed some of the most comprehensive and broad spectrum fitness workout programs catering to specific needs with no equipment is necessary.
Whether you want to improve fitness, compliment your mental health services, tone-up, or stop chronic pain, our personal trainer can create the right exercise program for you.
Click here to schedule a consultation or call (818) 984-2505 to discuss how our personal trainer can help.
Resources:
www.health.harvard.edu/
www.frontiersin.org/
www.scholar.google.com/