Physical activity linked to better mental health
Publication Date:10/04/2008
The more physical activity someone does, the less likely they are to suffer from poor mental health, according to new research. But illnesses like depression often cause people to lack energy and avoid exercise. So, it's hard to tell whether physical activity protects against poor mental health, or whether depressed people are simply less active.
What do we know already?
Mental health problems are common. During their lifetimes, about 1 in 7 people have a period of depression that's serious enough to need treatment. Depression is much more than feeling a bit down. It is one of the biggest causes of disability worldwide.
People with depression may feel sad and tearful most of the time. They lose interest in things they used to enjoy, feel hopeless and lacking in energy. They often have a hard time making decisions and find it hard to cope with everyday life.
There's often no obvious cause for depression, anxiety or similar illnesses. But some studies have found that people who aren't very active have a higher risk of mental health problems. Researchers have now looked at nearly 20,000 adults in Scotland to try to find out if there's a link between physical activity and better mental health.
What does the new study say?
The more physical activity people did, the less likely they were to have an illness like depression. As little as just one 20-minute session of housework, DIY, gardening, walking or sport per week was linked to a lower risk of mental health problems. The benefits were biggest for people who took part in sports. People who played sport four or more times a week reduced their risk of poor mental health by a third.
However, there's one big problem with the research. It's not clear whether being active improves people's mental health, or whether poor mental health stops people being active. People with depression or anxiety often feel tired and lacking in energy. They may also lose interest in activities they used to enjoy, such as sport. So, based on this study, it's impossible to say whether physical activity really helps to prevent mental health conditions. It might just be that people with poor mental health aren't as active.
There are a number of ways exercise might help boost mental health. Firstly, exercise helps to help keep your heart healthy, and can prevent long-term medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis. People with long-term health problems often become depressed, so being physically healthy might also improve mental health.
It's also possible that exercise could help your body deal better with stress. And playing sport can have other benefits, such as learning new skills or feeling part of a team. These things could also help maintain good mental health.
Where does the study come from?
The study was done by researchers based at University College London. It appeared in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, which is published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
What does this mean for me?
On its own, the new study doesn't prove that physical activity can prevent or treat mental health problems. But other research has suggested that exercise might help people with mild or moderate depression. Some doctors recommend exercise for depressed people, and the Mental Health Foundation, a UK charity, has been campaigning for GPs to 'prescribe' exercise as a treatment for depression.
We do know that exercise can help you stay fit and protect against serious health problems, such as heart disease. So as long as you exercise safely and take care not to injure yourself, being more active is almost certainly a good idea.
What should I do now?
There are several treatments that can help people with mental illnesses, including talking therapies and medicines such as antidepressants. One of the biggest problems with mental health problems is that people are often reluctant to ask for help. So, if you feel depressed or anxious, or you're worried about thoughts or feelings you've been having, it's important to go and see your GP. He or she can help you find a treatment to suit you. It may be that exercise will form part of your treatment.
Exercise has lots of benefits, apart from the possible improvement in mental health. You're likely to be fitter and healthier if you can build some activity into your daily routine. National guidelines recommend that everyone gets at least half an hour of moderate exercise, most days of the week.
From:
Hamer M, Stamatakis E, Steptoe A. Dose response relationship between physical activity and mental health: the Scottish Health Survey. British Journal of Sports Medicine. Published online 10 April 2008.
To read more, see our information on depression and on generalised anxiety disorder.
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