The Underappreciated Value of Exercise in Treating Mental Health Concerns

Over 50% of doctors in the U.S. receive compensation, ranging from consulting fees to travel and gifts, from pharmaceutical companies. These companies spend over $2 billion annually to encourage doctors to prescribe their drugs, and unsurprisingly, doctors who accept this compensation tend to prescribe more of the company’s products. This may explain why the number of people taking prescription antidepressants increased by 15% between 2015 and 2019, with an alarming 38% increase in teenagers, causing concern among medical and scientific experts. Keep reading to learn more about the value of exercise in treating mental health concerns. 

Physical Activity More Effective than Medications or Psychotherapy

Physical activity has been found to be 1.5 times more effective than leading medications or psychotherapy in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and distress, as it releases chemicals such as dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin that make us feel good immediately and over time. Despite the evidence, physical activity is not widely adopted as a first-choice treatment, and doctors and other medical professionals should consider prescribing exercise to patients experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, or other mental health concerns.

A recent comprehensive review of scientific research analyzed 97 existing scientific reviews of more than 1,000 trials involving 128,119 participants, and found that just about any type of physical activity, regardless of duration, can be helpful. Higher-intensity exercise had greater improvements for depression and anxiety, while longer durations had smaller effects compared to short and mid-duration bursts. All types of physical activity and exercise were beneficial, including aerobic exercise, resistance training, Pilates, and yoga.

Chronic stress and anxiety are similar yet distinct, as they are our reactions to events, situations, and other stimuli, but they can lead to depression if left untreated. Physical activity is not only a cornerstone of positive physical and mental health, but it can also act as an ideal catalyst for a positive cycle of improved physical and mental health and well-being. Experts recommend a minimum of 22 minutes of daily activity or the equivalent of 150 minutes during the week to gain the bulk of the benefits to physical and mental health.

Exercise as the Ideal Catalyst for a Positive Cycle

Motivational tips for exercise include choosing activities you like, setting concrete but achievable goals, and working movement into your day. All movement adds up positively, and moving some is better than none, and more is better than some. The research shows that it doesn’t take much for exercise to make a positive change to your mental health.

According to a survey conducted last fall, 27% of U.S. adults stated that they are so stressed most days that they can’t function normally, and three-quarters said stress had caused feelings of nervousness, anxiety, sadness, depression, fatigue, or a headache at least once in the past month. Stress and anxiety can become chronic and lead to depression if left untreated.

In other studies, people have found significant relief through mindfulness meditation, higher-quality sleep, and improving their way of eating, which positively affects physical and mental health and well-being.

Exercise Should be a Front-Line Treatment for Mental Health

Physical activity can combat all three conditions compared to the many different drugs prescribed for stress, anxiety, or depression, alone or in combinations. Exercise should be a front-line treatment for mental health conditions, alone or in conjunction with medications and other therapies, on a case-by-case basis.

Choosing activities you like, setting concrete but achievable goals, and working movement into your day are all ways to gain the bulk of the benefits to physical and mental health. All movement adds up positively, and moving some is better than none, and more is better than some. The research shows that it doesn’t take much for exercise to make a positive change to your mental health.

According to a survey conducted last fall, 27% of U.S. adults stated that they are so stressed most days that they can’t function normally, and three-quarters said stress had caused feelings of nervousness, anxiety, sadness, depression, fatigue, or a headache at least once in the past month. Stress and anxiety can become chronic and lead to depression if left untreated.

Natural Remedies for Mental Health

Physical activity can combat all three conditions compared to the many different drugs prescribed for stress, anxiety, or depression, alone or in combinations. In other studies, people have found significant relief through mindfulness meditation, higher-quality sleep, and improving their way of eating, which positively affects physical and mental health and well-being.

The desire to exercise is not a strong evolutionary trait, and only 24% of U.S. adults meet the minimum recommended thresholds for good health. However, experts recommend choosing activities you like, setting concrete but achievable goals, and working movement into your day to gain the bulk of the benefits to physical and mental health. Moving some is better than none, and more is better than some. If you want to lower your stress or anxiety level or improve your mood, you need to get moving.

In conclusion, physical activity is one of the most effective ways to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and distress, and doctors and other medical professionals should consider prescribing exercise to patients experiencing mental health concerns. Exercise should be a front-line treatment for mental health conditions, alone or in conjunction with medications and other therapies, on a case-by-case basis. Moving some is better than none, and more is better than some, so let’s get moving.