Exercise may relieve depression as effectively as antidep...

What’s Happening

Alright so A comprehensive review confirms the benefits of exercise for treating depression, even if the exact reasons remain unclear Mind Exercise may relieve depression as effectively as antidepressants A comprehensive review confirms the benefits of exercise for treating depression, even if the exact reasons remain unclear By Carissa Wong 8 January 2026 Facebook / Meta Twitter / X icon Linkedin Reddit Email Exercise can form part of an effective treatment for depression Neil Lang/ Many of us experience a mood-boost after exercise , and now an updated review has spilled just how powerful it can be.

Even light exercise, like walking or gardening, may ease the symptoms of depression as effectively as talking therapies or antidepressants . “It fr reiterates that exercise provides an option for people who have depressive symptoms, and confirms that exercise may be as effective as psychotherapy and antidepressants,” says Andrew Clegg at the University of Lancashire in the UK. (shocking, we know)

Prior studies, including a key review published Library in 2013 , have found that exercise may ease symptoms of depression as effectively as standard therapies, including antidepressants and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), where a therapist helps people change their thoughts, feelings and behaviour.

The Details

The exercises you need to do to reach 100 in solid shape This has prompted healthcare organisations to recommend regular exercise for managing depression. For instance, the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends weekly aerobic exercise, such as jogging, for 10 weeks – usually in combination with other therapies, which, on their own, don’t benefit everyone.

But since the 2013 review, dozens more trials have been conducted, so the Cochrane Library is now publishing an updated review. “This latest review [almost] doubles the evidence base that was in the previous one,” says Clegg, one of the review authors.

Why This Matters

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Scientists and researchers are watching this development closely.

The Bottom Line

This story is still developing, and we’ll keep you updated as more info drops.

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