Safeguard yourself from feelings of depression and anxiety: be proactive about your wellbeing and exercise! Dr. M David Kurland discusses the benefits of exercise in adults, and its importance in childhood development.

1. exercise is important for wellbeingOdds are if you're feeling down, you probably won't want to
get out of bed, let alone put on your exercise clothes, take a run around the block. Succumbing
to the feeling of wanting to do nothing will not help your case, however. Whether you're feeling
unwell already, or, say, if you feel normal but your days are packed with endless activities and
no downtime, staying put will not contribute to your feeling of wellbeing. Engaging in any kind of
physical exercise, however, can lift you out of those moods and allow you to look beyond it, or
simply help you ensure that those moments are less likely to come on.!
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So, will taking your dog for a walk or jogging to your
local market solve depression for you? Odds are, no...
but engaging in a regular exercise routine can
certainly help you work through difficult feelings.
Studies show that people who engage in regular
exercise enjoy a boost in mood and higher self
esteem, versus those who do not.!
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Self Esteem is an essential element in the healthy
development of children and adolescents. Self Esteem
allows children to grow and gives them the confidence
to try, and to continue trying, unbeaten, when they fail.
Trial "and error" is an essential part of growing.
Without the confidence or self esteem to try, children
won't give themselves the same opportunities to grow.!
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Speaking of exercise in Childhood Development,
playing sports is one of the perfect opportunities for
children and adolescents to learn these values, and to
learn to try and learn to fail in a certain safe environment. On the one hand, children will get the
benefits of exercise: self esteem, a feeling of motivation... one of the main benefits of exercise is
that it produces endorphins in the brain, which lead to a feeling of wellbeing which can help self
confidence and self esteem, and generally, just contribute to a healthy lifestyle which can
promote positive childhood development.!
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A balance of sports and exercise in a child or adolescent's life can help them handle the
changes coming on at those times. Endorphins have a stress relieving effect and help stave
away feelings of depression or anxiety. Being able to constantly try, fail, and learn to work with a
team will be a defining factor in any childhood development.!
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Not just for children or adolescents, I'd recommend a regular exercise regimen to anyone at all.