Exercise Is A Great Stress Buster - Another Study Reveals
By Andrea Cooper
2 March 2023
The world is currently facing a mental health crisis, with millions of people suffering from depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions. Almost half of all Australians are expected to experience a mental health disorder at some point in their life.
The Covid pandemic has worsened the situation, with a significant increase in rates of psychological distress affecting one-third of people.
Exercise For Better Mental Health
While traditional treatments like therapy and medication can be effective, a recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine highlights the importance of exercise in managing mental health conditions. The study reviewed more than 1,000 research trials examining the effects of physical activity on depression, anxiety and psychological distress. It showed that exercise can be even more effective than medication or counseling in treating mental health issues.
The study found that doing 150 minutes of various types of physical activity per week, such as brisk walking, lifting weights and yoga, significantly reduces depression, anxiety and psychological distress compared to usual care such as medications. The higher the intensity of the exercise, the more beneficial it is. The study also found that exercising for six to 12 weeks has the greatest benefits rather than shorter periods.
Exercise > Therapy?
Comparing the size of the benefits of exercise to other common treatments for mental health conditions from previous systematic reviews, the findings suggest that exercise is around 1.5 times more effective than either medication or cognitive behavior therapy. Exercise has additional benefits compared to medications such as reduced cost, fewer side effects and offering bonus gains for physical health.
Exercise is believed to impact mental health through multiple pathways, and with short and long-term effects. Regular exercise can lead to improved sleep, increased self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment, all of which are beneficial for people struggling with depression. It also has long-term psychological benefits such as decreased inflammation and boost immune function.
Exercise Wonders For Mental & Physical Health
The study underscores the crucial role of exercise for managing depression, anxiety and psychological distress. While some clinical guidelines already acknowledge the role of exercise, it tends to be more commonly prescribed in Australia.
However, people with a mental health condition should work with a health professional to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that includes a combination of lifestyle approaches such as exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet and socializing, alongside treatments such as psychotherapy and medication. Exercise should not be viewed as a “nice to have” option, it is a powerful and accessible tool for managing mental health conditions, and the best part is, it's free and comes with plenty of additional health benefits.
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