Can a little bit of exercise lower your depression risk?
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- Reviewed by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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.
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About the Author
Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
About the Reviewer
Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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