A comprehensive study by the Center for Medical and Social Research at the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain found that the steps we take each day can significantly reduce the risk of depression. In other words, more daily steps were linked to fewer depressive symptoms.
The research is a meta-analysis of 33 studies that together involved more than 96,000 adults.
They found that even a modest increase in daily steps — an extra 1,000 steps per day — was associated with a roughly 9% lower risk of depression, CNN reported.
“Encouraging people to be active, regardless of the type or intensity, is an effective strategy for preventing depression,” said Dr. Bruno Bizzocero-Peroni, the lead author of the study.
Carmel Choi, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School who was not involved in the research, said, “We often hear that it’s beneficial to walk 10,000 steps a day, but in this case, it seems that even 7,000 steps can help improve mental health.” She added, “The number of steps is a good indicator of physical activity that helps combat depression.”
Where to Find Motivation?
Many people struggle to find motivation for exercise. When depression is added to the mix, getting started becomes even more challenging.
Dr. Michael Noetel, a senior lecturer at the School of Psychology at the University of Queensland in Australia, says setting goals and tracking activity don’t always help. He suggests joining a fitness group, hiring a trainer, or asking a close friend to go for a walk.
Whether you’re doing strength training or just walking, the activity should be enjoyable.
The results of the study were published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
