Conquering Depression and Anxiety Through Exercise

by Keith Johnsgard

One out of every two Americans will suffer from some mental disorder during their lifetimes, with depression being the most common problem. How do most of us cope? Usually, we turn to overeating, drinking, and smoking. In short, we treat our unhealthy mental reactions to the American lifestyle with even unhealthier physical habits.Clinical psychologist Keith Johnsgard ― an inveterate runner who is in his 70's! ― proposes a better solution in this uplifting book. Why not turn to exercise ― one of the healthiest aspects of American lifestyle ― as a means of improving not just our physical well-being but our state of mind as well? Though usually associated with losing weight and physical fitness, exercise does in fact offer many mental health benefits. Johnsgard inspires us to put on a pair of sneakers and start moving. He draws from a lifetime of clinical experience, research on the psyche of the athlete, and personal experience as an athlete to make a convincing case that exercise can greatly enhance our mental outlook. Further, physical activity decreases the symptoms of depression as well as psychotherapy and drugs, and with only positive side effects! Exercise not only reduces depression and anxiety, but also boosts your energy level and self-esteem.If depression and anxiety have overshadowed your life, or you just want to improve your mental outlook while enhancing your physical fitness, this book is a superb motivator to help you help yourself through the healthiest, least expensive, and simplest method available.

Genres: Psychology, Health, Self Help, Nonfiction, Science

305 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the intro and outro. The middle sections more specific to mental health dragged, even as someone with a BA in Psychology and MS in sport and exercise psych, though the section on anxiety was interesting as I had issues with that a few years ago; They were overly research focused but surely would be valuable to someone working through depression, anxiety, substance abuse.

As a former strength coach and exceptionally average power lifter, the book in general has me thinking about creative ways moving forward to increase aerobic training without sacrificing strength and muscle. I'm also fairly curious how much of the aerobic craze in this text and in general is dated (over 15 years since publication) and/or due to bias in academic circles (easier to get grants to put college kids on treadmills than have them squat, etc.).


With that said, again, I really loved the intro about and liked the outro as the author took a critical look at modernity and it's negative impact on physical and mental health.

[Sabrina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wanted to give 0 stars.

I wish Johnsgard left only the last chapter and the epilogue, the rest is not helpful. The cover should be a major giveaway, this book is very PRO running. The author comes across biased against other exercises and strongly pushes running as the preferred workout.

Chapter 1 begins as a class on evolution would but without much given to the emotional or mental aspects. Then in chapter 2 the author puts us through another type of class that I have taken in college about the breakdown of lactic acid and lactase in the muscles when working, goes through your VO 2 max as well as the percentage of your heartrate you are to workout at when doing certain workouts or beginning to exercise, and all along he is speaking about many research results. This is confusing and aggravating. Over 100 pages in and he has not offered anything helpful except that exercising helps with anxiety and depression and to be careful because there is a thing of overtraining and staleness which will do more harm with anxiety. He has said things that I feel should be left out of a book like this such as: “working from home puts marriages at risk”. His argument is not getting a break from each other and getting “me” time can cause stress on a relationship, which I can agree than there are some people who need this. However, he made it as a blanket statement when I know this is not trues for everyone and he does not address that working outside of the home can put marriages at risk (see those who begin relationships with co-workers).

Johnsgard then continues to delve into the explanations using major medical terms and language. In part 3 of the book, Johnsguard not only heavily implies but states (numerous times) that the more vigorous the physical activity, the longer you will live. My issues with this isn’t that it may be true but you are writing to people struggling with anxiety and depression, this is not a good way to help them. To me, he is saying that if you cannot or are not willing to do vigorous workouts, you might as well not do any. This is not helpful. The people struggling with anxiety and depression are wanting to work on it and if you give the idea that a slow start, light start in exercising is not much of an improvement on life span as being sedentary, you will discourage them from even beginning! In the same chapter that Johnsgard talks about vigorous exercise, he then explains that intense exercise lowers our immune system for longer than moderate exercise which is more beneficial. The author actually talks about supporting a diet of underfeeding to lengthen life. This book seems more apt to add to anxiety and other mental health issues instead of helping. It is more like a diet/health book, throwing all kinds of research to support what the author wants to say, at times contradicting what was said earlier, instead of laying out ways for those struggling with anxiety, depression, etc. to help. There seems to be so many inconsistencies in this book that it makes it difficult to figure out what to do to help, it isn’t worth the time and effort to sift through.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh, It isn't a very digestible book. I think that there are much better ways to present the material. It is very dense and while I think it is common knowledge that exercise is overall good for us, it didn't really add much more to that statement.

[Corey Harrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

According to the CDC, %74 of Americans are overweight.Approximately 64.8% of adults aged 18 and older took prescription medication in the past 12 months. Luckily, I don't fall under either of those categories. This book is one of a million reasons to be on a healthy exercise and diet plan.

[Kathleen Giudice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring and motivating. Quite dry.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book that is written well and is easy to read. It does not feel academic even though the author quotes and explains scientific research studies, probably because he does a really good job of explaining the studies in layman's terms (without 'dumbing it down'). The title is slightly misleading since the book covers much more than just the use of exercise in the treatment of depression and anxiety. In short, the author discusses the benefits of exercise for physical and mental health, the different types, frequencies, and intensities of exercise that are useful, the limitations and potential harmful effects of exercise, and many other useful and practical tips. Anecdotes and examples are used liberally throughout the text. I found this book highly motivating even though I already am physically active.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

He spends a long time explaining how far removed we are from our natural, primitive state of hunter gatherers and that's basically the problem with all of us. He makes a good case and I'm sold - people have always worked harder to survive up in until the last 50 years or so. He covers neuroscience in a very digestable and easy-to-understand way.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my text book for my exercise and mental health class at SJSU. Dr. Jonhngard was my professor.