New research from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has found that participating in low to moderate intensity exercise and reduced rates of anxiety and depression.
The analysis, published in the journal Neuroscience and Biobehavioural Reviews, found that physical activity reduced the risk of depression by 23% and anxiety by 26%.
While exercise isn’t always appealing, the researchers were keen to impress that this doesn’t have to mean our traditional ideas of exercise and can include activities such as gardening, golf, and even walking.
Lead author Lee Smith, Professor of Public Health at ARU said: “These effects of physical activity intensity on depression highlight the need for precise exercise guidelines.
“Moderate exercise can improve mental health through biochemical reactions, whereas high-intensity exercise may worsen stress-related responses in some individuals.”
Moderate exercises that could improve your mental health
The NHS said: “Moderate activity will raise your heart rate, and make you breathe faster and feel warmer. One way to tell if you’re working at a moderate intensity level is if you can still talk, but not sing.”
Examples of moderate intensity activities include:
- brisk walking
- water aerobics
- riding a bike
- dancing
- doubles tennis
- pushing a lawn mower
- hiking
- rollerblading
It is advised that people should do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercises every week but, ultimately, if you’re struggling with your mental health, any exercise is a huge achievement and this number is something that can be worked up to over time.
How do physical activities help with mental health?
According to the leading mental health charity Mind, physical activity has lots of benefits for our mental and physical wellbeing. It can help with things like:
- managing stress
- improving sleep
- improving your mood
- improving confidence
- connecting with nature
- socialising and meeting new people
- managing symptoms of depression and anxiety
- memory and brain functioning
- heart, muscle and bone health
- reducing the risk of developing some long-term health conditions, such as heart disease
The charity also said: “You might find that you have days when you want to be active. But you may also have days when it feels like too much.
“Try to adapt to how you’re feeling. It’s ok to skip an activity you planned if you aren’t feeling up to it.”
Help and support:
- Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
- Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
- CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
- The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
- Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.