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People with depression tend to look towards medication and therapy as the only means of improvement. Studies have shown that regular exercise can have major benefits to fighting depression. In the study, men and women who faced depression either began rigorous exercise over a 16-week period or just received medication. In the end, 41% of the group no longer showed depressive signs, and a large majority of them were those who exercised. Exercise has the ability to boost the brain with serotonin, which can lead to a positive spiral for the person. Exercise has the ability to get the person back into a routine where they are productive and began to see family and friends more often. James Blumenthal, a professor of medical psychology at Duke University, states, "The psychological benefits make a big difference from my perspective. People have a greater sense of being in control. They feel better about themselves and have more self-confidence” (Stien).
Regular exercise lowers symptoms of depression and anxiety as it releases feel-good endorphins and takes the mind off of worries. While exercising the body releases brain chemicals, called endorphins, that provide a natural state to the brain creating a sense of well-being. Exercise also provides a distraction from the day-to-day cycle of anxiety and worry. Along with this, exercise can provide emotional benefits to a person suffering from mental health issues. Through exercise, confidence can be gained as new goals are reached, and people can have more social interaction while being a part of exercise programs. It is also important to recognize that vigorous exercise isn’t the only way to possess the benefits. Day-to-day physical activity such as walking, doing chores around the house, or gardening provides movement where the same benefits can be reached (Mayo Clinic Staff).
Regular exercise in young children has decreased rapidly throughout the past years. With this, the world has seen a rapid increase in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, along with growing suicide rates. Adolescents who do not exercise are proven to be twice as likely to face mental health problems in the future. It is recommended, by the World Health Organization, for children to exercise for approximately 1 hour every day. With research, it has been found that light activity is the most attainable way for adolescents to reach this exercise goal. Simply walking throughout the school day, moving around in the classroom, and doing chores around the house help increase the amount of movement that children have. Dr. McMahon, a researcher for the National Suicide Research Foundation, states, “Moderate activity of any kind, getting out and doing something, is associated with improvements, lower levels of depressive symptoms, lower levels of anxiety, better well-being” (Klass).
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