Everyone can reap the benefits of exercise to lower the risk of depression, Coleman says. “Everyone benefits because most people will report they have daily stress,” he says.
If you have physical limitations or have a health condition that can make regular exercise tricky, Dr. Stowell recommends checking in with your doctor first. But, overall, he says, “this can really help people across all age spectrums.
Dr. Saltz recommends doing what you can when it comes to exercise. “As this study showed, even 10 to 15 minutes per day of brisk walking was helpful for mood,” she says. “Most people can fit that in. Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good—some walking is better than none, so doing nothing because you can’t run or work out for an hour is not the answer.”
What is depression, exactly?
Depression, aka major depressive disorder, is a mental health condition that causes persistent negative thoughts and feelings. People with depression may have the following symptoms, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Feelings of irritability, frustration‚ or restlessness
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or activities
- Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling “slowed down”
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
- Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical reasons that don’t get better with treatment
- Suicide attempts or thoughts of death or suicide