Exercise and Depression

A study published in theJuly 2016 edition of Behavioral Therapy found that a 30 minute bout of exercise can help acutely depressed women who already have a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. This was a small study involving 24 women (age: 38.6+-14.0). They exercised at either light, moderate, or hard exercise intensities. The intensity of the exercise didn't seem to matter. Nor did it seem to matter whether or not they were on anti-depressant medication. It appeared that the act of exercising for 30 minutes was beneficial at 15 and 30 minutes after the exercise stopped. Other research will have to determine how long the effect lasts. And the trick is to get someone who is depressed to jump on an exercise bike or treadmill rather than curl up in bed.