This Simple Daily Exercise Habit Could Be as Powerful as Therapy for Depression
Exercise May Be as Effective as Therapy for Depression, Research Suggests A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that regular physical activity may reduce symptoms of depression nearly as effectively as psychological therapy—without the need for medication. A large-scale analysis of clinical trials suggests that structured exercise programs can significantly improve mood, emotional well-being, and overall mental health in people living with depression. Researchers analyzing multiple controlled studies found that exercise produced meaningful reductions in depressive symptoms when compared with no treatment. When exercise was compared directly with psychological therapies, the outcomes were broadly similar. Comparisons with antidepressant medication also showed comparable benefits, although the certainty of evidence in those cases was lower. Depression: A Global Health Challenge Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions worldwide, affecting more than 280...