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Mind & Mood
Can a little bit of exercise lower your depression risk?
- By Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
News briefs
As we often report, it doesn’t take much exercise to make a big difference in your health. And small doses of physical activity might also be enough to stave off depression, according to a review of studies published online April 13, 2022, by JAMA Psychiatry. The analysis included 15 studies from around the world, involving a total of more than 191,000 people. Compared with people who didn’t exercise, people who racked up 75 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, had an 18% lower risk for depression. The benefits were even stronger among people who accumulated 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity activity per week: they had a 25% lower risk for depression. If those totals sound like a lot of time, remember that they’re roughly the equivalent of a 10- or 20-minute walk per day, respectively. If you can do that, you can probably do a lot for your mood and well-being — and improve many other aspects of health to boot.
Image: © fancy.yan/Getty Images
About the Author
Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
Disclaimer:
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No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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Understanding Depression
Depression is more than a passing bout of sadness or dejection, or feeling down in the dumps. It can leave you feeling continuously burdened and can sap the joy out of once-pleasurable activities. In Understanding Depression, find out how effective treatment can lighten your mood, strengthen your connections with loved ones, allow you to find satisfaction in interests and hobbies, and make you feel more like yourself again.
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