“Most of the benefits are gained when moving from doing nothing to at least doing something,” the study authors wrote.
Alternatively, a person may choose vigorous aerobic exercise, such as running, for 1.25 hours each week, along with the same amount of strength training.
But in today’s busy world, many people find it difficult to go for a run or go to the gym. Add depression to the mix and the motivation to exercise is further reduced, experts say.
every little bit helps
Adults who engaged in activities equivalent to 1.25 hours of brisk walking per week had an 18% lower risk of depression compared to those who did not exercise, according to the study.
Going to a “volume of activity equivalent to 2.5 hours of brisk walking per week was associated with a 25 percent lower risk of depression,” the study authors said.
The benefits were strongest when a person went from being a couch potato to adding movement to the day, according to the study. However, exercising above recommended levels did not provide any additional benefit.
“Thus, our findings have important new implications for health professionals making lifestyle recommendations, especially for inactive people who may perceive the currently recommended (exercise) goal as unrealistic,” the authors wrote.
Previous investigations
“Even walking just three times a week seems to give people better mental health than no exercise at all,” study author. Adam Chekroud, Deputy Assistant teacher in psychiatry at Yale University, he told CNN at the time.
Exercising in 45-minute sessions three to five times a week was the most beneficial for improving mental health, the 2018 study found. However, even doing housework reduced days of mental health problems by about 10%, according to the study.
Types of movement included running, cycling, and walking, as well as activities such as doing homework, painting or playing an instrument.
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