A third of people at risk of mental health issue could avoid it with regular workouts, study shows 

Studies suggest that one-third of people at risk for depression and anxiety may be prevented with sufficient exercise.

Exercise is a well-known treatment for depression and is prescribed by doctors.

But a study of more than 37,000 people suggests that getting more exercise may keep people from becoming depressed and anxious in the first place.

Almost 19% of cases of depression and anxiety could be prevented if everyone managed 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, including running and swimming, which causes heavy breathing, the researchers concluded. .

And if we all did 2 1/2 to 5 hours of moderate activity a week (faster breathing, brisk walking, cycling, dancing, etc.), an additional 13% were diagnosed with depression and anxiety. may not occur.

These findings suggest that almost one-third of cases of depression and anxiety, which affect one in five adults in the UK, could be prevented by exercise.

Dr. Carlos Celis Morales, senior author of the study at the University of Glasgow, said:

The study, published in BMC Medicine, looked at people aged 37 to 73 who were not anxious. They were given fitness trackers to monitor physical activity.

About 3% had developed depression or anxiety for an average of almost seven years when they were followed.

Based on this result, researchers calculated that sedentary people were 29% less likely to develop depression and anxiety when they switched to 75-150 minutes of vigorous activity per week.

150-300 minutes of moderate physical activity per week reduces the risk of anxiety and depression by 47%.

The study authors still don’t understand if exercise itself makes a difference, so more research is needed.

Physical activity certainly floods the brain with reward chemicals, but the benefits may be about the boost you get from exercising and socializing with others.