Looking for a natural way to reduce symptoms of your depression? Have you tried exercise?
Researchers at the Boston University School of Medicine published in The Primary Care Companion – Journal of Clinical Psychiatry an analysis of a vast amount of research exploring the connection between exercise and mental health over the last century.
Since the early 1900s, researchers have been interested in the association between exercise and depression. . . . Many studies have examined the efficacy of exercise to reduce symptoms of depression, and the overwhelming majority of these studies have described a positive benefit associated with exercise involvement.
Not only does there appear to be positive mental health effect to exercise, but that effect may be long lasting, with participants in one study seeing mental health benefits for up to a year after their study.
After reviewing several studies, the researchers noticed that those who participated in the following activities saw a reduction in depressions symptoms:
- Walking
- Jogging
- Weightlifting
- Flexibility training
A couple other finding include exercise being at least as effective as therapy or medication in treating depression.
So, if you’re looking for a natural treatment for depression, consider adding exercise to your holistic mental health treatment.