People with depression and anxiety find this activity much more beneficial

One of the activities that people first recommend when discussing conditions like depression and anxiety is exercise. The suggestion is so ubiquitous that it’s now almost a cliché. Still, evidence shows that exercise is incredibly helpful for your mental health, reduces muscle tension, boosts serotonin production, and more.

A UK study suggests that people with depression and anxiety are twice as likely to experience the benefits of physical activity compared to those who don’t.

RELATED: TikTok is full of mental health advice — here’s why you should be careful

Photo by Alexander Redl via Unsplash

The data were obtained by tracking the exercise patterns of over 50,000 people in their late fifties. About a third of them were affected by health problems such as depression and anxiety. While everyone benefited from moderate exercise, those with a mental illness had a 22 percent reduced risk of having a heart attack or a blocked coronary artery. For comparison, the majority of candidates saw only a 17 percent reduction in their likelihood of having heart disease.

“The effect of physical activity on the brain’s stress response may be particularly relevant in people with stress-related psychiatric disorders. That’s not to say that exercise is only effective in people with depression or anxiety, but we did find that these patients appear to derive greater cardiovascular benefits from physical activity,” said study lead researcher Hadil Zureigat.

Anxiety and other forms of stress can lead to inflammation, a condition that poses risks to people’s circulatory systems. The effects of exercise target various risk factors for people with an existing mental illness by reducing cortisol in their bodies and improving cardiovascular health, while also producing serotonin and improving their mood.

RELATED: Cannabis offers instant relief from symptoms of depression and other mental health issues

Incorporating an exercise routine into your life when you don’t have one isn’t easy, but it’s often recommended to start slowly and take your time to find an activity you enjoy. Just one workout can make you feel better, but the more you commit, the easier it becomes to form a habit. Try exercising with friends, exercising outdoors, signing up for sports or classes – whatever holds you accountable and getting back to your activity.

Post a comment:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *