I am about to tell you something you probably already know: Exercise is good for your mental health. You have likely heard it before, and you might even believe it to be true. Whether you have been an avid exerciser for years, currently exercise, or have exercised in the past, your body rewarded you with the hormones that improve your sense of well-being and mood.

Last year, I was navigating a career transition as I was about to become the first director of sport psychology and student-athlete mental health at Iowa while also maintaining my clinical professor role within the Department of Psychiatry. At the same time, I was also preparing for my oldest daughter’s high school graduation and taking in all of her “lasts” as a senior while being flooded with emotions while vividly recalling many of her “firsts.”

I think about my impact on others. I also remember the people who have had an impact on my life by allowing me to make mistakes and grow with dignity. The professor who let me assert myself as a 20-year-old, colleagues who have tolerated my growing pains, parents who let thoughtless words pass. With the benefit of time and experience, their kindness is revealed to me, and I feel their grace in my life.

After the birth of my third child, I found myself bursting into tears for no reason and I had no energy. I was diagnosed with postpartum depression and responded well to medication. When I told one of my fellow family practice physicians how much better I was feeling, he quickly hushed me and told me I shouldn’t let people know I had been treated for depression. I was stunned. As physicians, we know depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and is treatable with medication.