Rates of serious depression are growing worldwide. Scientists found that those who did not exercise were 44% more likely than their peers who exercised for 1 to 2 hours each week to develop depression. Benefits of sunshine and natural Vitamin D, along with visual stimulation from the environment contribute to mental and physical health.
A study done by the Black Dog Institute in collaboration with scientists from universities in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Norway analyzed data collected from 33,908 Norwegian adults who were followed over a period of 11 years. Lead researcher Professor Samuel Harvey reported, “We’ve known for some time that exercise has a role to play in treating symptoms of depression, but this is the first time we have been able to quantify the preventive potential of physical activity in terms of reducing future levels of depression.” “These findings,” he adds,”are exciting because they show that even relatively small amounts of exercise – from 1 hour per week – can deliver significant protection against depression.”
Reference
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.16111223
