Exercise lowers depression.

Increasing research on the effects of even low amounts of exercise upon depression. Exercise lowers depression.

by: Steve Graham. Oct 1, 2025.

Over the past few decades, it has become clear that physical health and mental health are connected. In short, exercise lowers depression. A review from 2023 found that activities like walking, yoga, strength training, and jogging can make a big difference in improving depression for many different groups of peo

ple (Hallgren, et al., 2023).

In the same way, a 2024 study that looked at young people found that about six weeks of aerobic exercise led to significant decreases in depressive feelings (Zhou et al., 2024).

It's important to note that you don't need to do intense workouts to see these benefits. Research shows that just 20 to 30 minutes of walking or light exercise can help improve mood and mental health (Hallgren et al., 2023).

Discover Counseling and Consulting, LLC in Maitland, FL, works with clients to develop a movement plan and brings together a team of professionals to support therapy, promoting overall wellness. To find out how this self-care method can improve emotional health, call (407) 676-4115 or visit discovercounseling.net.

References

·      Hallgren, M., Vancampfort, D., Schuch, F. B., Lundin, A., & Stubbs, B. (2023). Exercise as treatment for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 380, 105–113. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-072804

·      Zhou, X., Ke, J., Wang, X., & Zhang, Y. (2024). Aerobic exercise for depressive symptoms in children and young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 24, 112–121. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-05678-9