A new analysis of more than 200 studies has found that exercise is an effective therapy to help treat depression.
The research published in BMJfound that walking, jogging, yoga, and strength training were beneficial in reducing symptoms of depression, given the higher intensity of the training.
“We found that exercise reduced depression at a level comparable to that of gold standard treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy,” said study lead author Michael, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Queensland in Australia. Dr. Noetel said. health.
“I’m sure there’s a cause-and-effect relationship here.”
To examine the relationship between depression and exercise, researchers analyzed data from 218 studies involving more than 14,000 participants.
The types of exercise studied consisted of walking, jogging, yoga, strength training, tai chi, and qi gong.
Dr. Ulric Vue, a sports psychiatrist at Hackensack University Medical Center, said exercise releases the mood regulators dopamine and serotonin. health.
“For example, reduced serotonin levels are associated with depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias,” he says. ”[But] Exercise increases serotonin levels. ”
Disclaimer: This may not work for everyone. Please consult your doctor before trying this.
