Depression is a common affliction for many people.
 While there are severe cases of depression that require a medical intervention and pharmaceutical medication, many milder cases of depression may be treated with natural methods.
 Exercise is an excellent depression treatment to use when it is treated as a prescription for elevating mood.
 Moreover, the connection between body and mind is a real one, and the physical benefits of gaining fitness will have a positive effect on your brain's health as well.
 Here are 3 keys to success using exercise as a natural depression treatment: 1.
  Start slowly.
 Clear any proposed exercise program with your doctor.
 Regardless of your fitness level, you want to be certain that you do not overdo it or make yourself excessively sore.
 This result will only dissuade you from continuing and keep you out of the gym for days afterward.
 It is easy to get adrenaline pumping and be unaware of how much you are doing.
2.
  Choose cardiovascular exercise as your primary focus.
 What you want is an activity that raises your heart rate over a sustained period of time.
 This allows for the release of endorphins, which are the "feel good" chemicals you want for mood elevation.
 The elliptical is a good choice, as it is lower impact on joints than running or treadmill.
 Swimming is another excellent low impact exercise.
 Find something you enjoy.
 It will be far easier to discipline yourself to hit the gym if you are doing something you like.
3.
  Work up to 45 minutes of sustained cardiovascular activity 5 times per week.
 This is an ideal prescription for optimal benefits.
 Of course, don't let the amount of time or frequency of exercise recommended dissuade you from doing anything.
 Do what you can do, even if that means once or twice per week.
 Park your car farther away from the store and walk across the parking lot.
 Take the stairs.
 Anything will be better than nothing, so start moving.