"Depression is among the leading causes of disability worldwide. It affects mood, sleep, appetite, concentration, energy, and hope. For some, it is episodic; for others, persistent. Treatment typically includes psychological therapy, medication, or both. Increasingly, clinicians and patients alike are also asking about lifestyle interventions, especially exercise. The question is no longer whether exercise is "good for you.""
"The more specific question is whether it meaningfully reduces depressive symptoms, and whether it should be regarded as part of formal treatment rather than general advice. Recent systematic evidence A recent large systematic review and meta-analysis, published in the BMJ, examined randomised trials of exercise for people with major depression. Its central conclusion is clear: exercise appears to reduce symptoms of depression across a range of populations."
Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting mood, sleep, appetite, concentration, energy, and hope; it can be episodic or persistent. Exercise reduces depressive symptoms across a range of severities and populations and should be considered alongside psychological therapy and medication as part of core management. Multiple activity types, including walking, jogging, yoga, and strength training, may be beneficial without a single required form. Biological mechanisms include modulation of neurotransmitters, stress hormones, and promotion of neuroplasticity. Regular movement improves sleep and provides psychological benefits such as added structure, behavioral activation, social contact, and a sense of achievement.
Read at Psychology Today
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