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Anyone who has experienced the euphoric " runner ’s high " that follows a cheering physical exercise will probably attest to a connection between physical activity and mental health . Studies have long borne this theory out : endorphin , the opiate - like chemicals that flood the brain after intense or free burning exercise , appear to act as a fender against depressive thoughts and feel .
But you do n’t have to prepare to the point of collapse to reap the benefits of this " thinker - body " relationship : A new field from Australia find that even small doses of exercise — as little as 1 hour per week — can elevate one ’s mood , regardless of age or sex . [ How to Start an Exercise Routine and Stick to It ]
" We ’ve known for some metre that usage has a function to bring in treat symptom of depression , but this is the first time we have been able to quantify the preventative potential of strong-arm activeness in terms of reducing succeeding levels of imprint , " lead study generator Dr. Samuel Harvey , an associate professor of medication at the Black Dog Institute at the University of New South Wales , say in a statement .
In the study , which was print Oct. 3 in theAmerican Journal of Psychiatry , the investigator face at data from the Health Study of Nord - Trøndelag County ( aka the HUNT study ) , one of most extensive universe - based wellness sight ever conducted . Specifically , they tracked the levels of exercise and symptoms of impression in nearly 34,000 Norse adults between January 1984 and June 1997 .
At the beginning of the HUNT study , participant were asked about theirfrequency and intensity level of exercise , then , at a come after - up session , about any symptoms of anxiousness and low .
The scientist regain that mass who order they never practise had a 44 percentage increased peril of developing depression compare with those who perspire it out 1 to 2 60 minutes a calendar week . There was no inter-group communication between exercise level and symptoms of anxiety , however .
In fact , just 1 60 minutes of forcible activeness each hebdomad could have prevented 12 pct of clinical depression diagnoses over the course of the work full stop , the researchers said .
" These answer highlight the great potency to integrate drill into individual mental wellness plans and broader public wellness campaigns , " Harvey tell . " If we can detect ways to increase the population ’s level ofphysical activityeven by a small amount , then this is potential to fetch substantial forcible and genial wellness benefit . "
The finding are meaning , but perhaps even more so because most of the psychological benefits of exercise manifest almost instantly , Harvey tell .
" Withsedentary lifestylesbecoming the average worldwide , andrates of depressiongrowing , these results are especially apt as they highlight that even small modus vivendi change can harvest significant mental wellness benefits , " he bring .
Scientists are uncertain why exercise has this protective effect . “ But we think it is from the combined impact of the various physical and social benefit of forcible action , ” Harvey say .
Originally published onLive Science .
