Four days of exercise a week ease symptoms of depression and anxiety

Scientists at Columbia University Medical Center believe that just four physical exercises per week are enough to keep the psyche healthy. The article has been published in the journal Health Psychology.

The study involved 119 people aged 20-45 years. Before the trial began, all participants were interviewed to assess their levels of depression, anxiety, hostility and anger. Volunteers were then divided into two groups: the first group keep leading a sedentary lifestyle, and the second group performed various activities, including walking and running on a treadmill, and cycling. Physical activity took 35 minutes a day, and training was conducted four times a week. 

After three months of activity, the volunteers filled out the questionnaires again and were then asked to sit for a month.

At the end of the survey, the researchers again assessed the mental health level of the participants and also analyzed mental health changes during all four months of the survey.

It turned out that people from the "sports group" were able to improve mental health indicators by 35%. And these results remained after one month of inactive lifestyle. Test results of people who were not engaged in sports turned out to be practically unchanged.

Thus, the study shows that physical exercise can alleviate depression and other mental symptoms in people who lead sedentary lives.