PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR DEPRESSION

Blog post from our board member Dr. Robert Bacci: Physical activity for depression – Courtesy of Bacci & Glinn Physical Therapy

EVEN SMALL AMOUNTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CAN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH

Our modern world can be a stressful one. For many people, dealing with more than two years of fear, anxiety, and debate revolving around the coronavirus pandemic has had a harsh impact effect on the state of one’s mental health.

As a result, rates of depression – which were already high even before the pandemic – have been steadily increasing over the past two years, with no signs of slowing down. Major depressive disorder affects about 15 million American adults (or 6% of the adult population), and some research has suggested that the prevalence of depression symptoms has more than tripled during the pandemic. Depression is also the leading cause of mental health-related disease burden and is associated with a host of negative health effects, including an increased risk for chronic conditions and premature death.

EXERCISE – AN OFTEN OVERLOOKED TREATMENT OPTION

Effectively treating and preventing depression often requires a multifaceted approach, and most health experts recommend talk therapy as a central intervention for those suffering from depression symptoms. But another strategy that’s being increasingly recognized as a powerful and vital tool against depression is regular physical activity. Read more…

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