Physical skill acquisition lessens depression and fatigue
December 18th, 2009 | Published in Stumpblog | 4 Comments
Physical activity is known to reduce depression and fatigue in people struggling with chronic illness. A new study indicates that this effect may stem from an individual’s sense of mastery over — or belief in his or her ability to achieve — certain physical goals.
Says the lead researcher, “The relationship between physical activity and reductions in fatigue in breast-cancer survivors and people with MS can be explained in part by the effect of physical activity on mastery experiences… That sense of accomplishment, or situation-specific self-confidence, serves to reduce depression, which in turn reduces fatigue.”
The lesson: Pursue skill and productive self-mastery through activity, not an abstract “perfection” or “fixing yourself”.
December 20th, 2009at 11:18 am(#)
This must be why I feel uberfantastic after a good BJJ class even if I felt like the walking dead before class.
December 21st, 2009at 8:41 am(#)
I wonder if this could include hand-dexterity skills such as knitting or jewelry making- two things that make me very happy.
December 21st, 2009at 8:54 am(#)
I think any observable skill acquisition would probably be useful. Self-esteem is closely tied to skill mastery (mistressy?).
December 22nd, 2009at 3:24 pm(#)
I have MS and can tell you that since i kicked up my work out and starting lifting again, I feel fabulous. I have my legs back, for a while, they were not mine, weird but they’re back.
thanks to squats, the mother of all exercises!!!!!!!
love this site.