Conquering Depression and Anxiety Through Exercise

This is one of the best books I have read on depression - and I've read a boatload. Keeping in mind that different people respond to information in different ways, choose this book if you like reading facts, statistics, scientific studies and their application to depression (don't let that description lead you to believe the book is dry or dull, just that this is not a wishy-washy book filled with reader testimonies or inspiring images). I especially enjoyed his meta-analysis of multiple studies which he used to illustrate many different aspects of the relationship between depression and exercise, and also his discussion of diet and weightloss in a depression context. Whilst his tone is factual and serious (with everything referenced and clearly backed up), everything is still well explained for the layperson (such as myself). I highly reccommend this book.

The reviewer below, C Fink, wrote a great review of this book, but I have one comment to add: although the author is a runner and some of the studies he cites are based on runners, the author states clearly that any aerobic exercise is fine. I'm not a runner and as I was reading, I didn't think of it as a running book (I prefer bicycling and hiking/walking). I've read quite a few books on depression and anxiety. Although many of them helped me to learn and understand, this book was the most practical/pragmatic. Move your body, breathe hard, you'll feel better. (As the author states, one may also need therapy and medication.) I feel like giving this book to people living with depression and/or anxiety. It could make a huge difference.

I came to Johnsgard's book as a recreational runner with none of the psychological disorders he addresses in his book (none diagnosed, anyway). Actually, the title of this delightful book is something of a misnomer; only one of the four sections deals specifically with mental health. In the other three sections, Johnsgard-a psychology professor and a long-time distance runner-takes what I would call an anthropological view of the sport, addressing, as he does, the history of Homo Sapiens and our natural inclination to run. Johnsgard's book is a training manual, a DSM4, and a natural history all in one. What I appreciated most about the book-and there's plenty here for expert runners as well as beginners-was the author's unique perspective. Using both clinical data and anthropological evidence, Johnsgard shows us how far we've come from Shangri-La, and how running can help us return. The author is a fellow homo-naturalis, so if you're homo-progressus, you're not going to find your techno-manna here. Johnsgard debunks the protein diet fads and gives evidence that elements of the hunter-gatherer existence are necessary for physical and mental well-being. Johnsgard is foremost a good storyteller, and beginning with book's prologue, he incorporates elements of case study to illuminate his topics. The result is a thoroughly interesting read about the science and history of running. And while the author is always knowledgeable about his subjects-from existential drift to cardiorespiratory fitness-he's humble too; one gets the sense that he's learned all this news the hard way, and at some personal expense. Johnsgard comes across as the kind of runner you'd like to meet on the trail. Chances are you'll see yourself often in these pages, and that you'll come away with at least a few ideas for self-improvement through exercise.