LONDON: Regular physical activity has been declared by a new study as a powerful remedy that can go hand in hand with medication or therapy in some cases for the treatment of depression.
The research that was performed at the University of Lancashire in the UK estimates that the data from 73 clinical trials done on 5,000 depressed individuals is the source of the conclusion that exercise can at least partially replace medical treatment in the case of patients already being on medication.
The research team thinks that one of the ways in which this happens is that physical activity pushes the brain to work more rapidly via the neurotransmitters chemicals in the brain that play a role in the regulation of moods, getting better at the way they act. Therefore, depression’s severity can be lowered to some extent. Or in other words, exercise initiates the production of the pleasure-inducing chemicals.
The conducted study also says that even light to moderate physical activities like brisk walking or climbing up to the second floor can help one’s mental health. One important point mentioned by the researchers is that aerobic activities such as fast walking and weight lifting give the best results when done together.
To the researchers’ surprise, the type of exercise people pick was downplayed by the study as being of no importance compared to the fact of being active at all. Whichever it is yoga, jogging, or dancing, practicing regular physical activities is always going to have positive impacts on both the mind and body.
Researchers announced that physical activity is a low-cost treatment for depression, which has almost no side effects and thus, a natural and efficient alternative to medication and psychotherapy.
The research, though admitting the intricacy of depression as a mental health disorder that can affect people of all ages, nevertheless emphasizes the need for treating both the body and the mind together if one aims to reach the highest level of well-being.
To put it more simply, this study demonstrates how very easy lifestyle changes could help combat the otherwise mounting problem of mental health.
