According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 322 million people throughout the world are living with depression, which is 4.4% of the global population!
Exercise is known to be associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes. Over the past decade, the association between exercise and improvement in mental health has been more widely examined by researchers. Lack of time and finances are some of the most common reasons why individuals may not engage in physical activity on a regular basis. However, there are many different types of physical activities that do not require a gym membership, including walking, running, cycling, yoga, tai chi, recreational sports, and even doing household chores.
Chekroud et al. (2018) surveyed 1,237 people aged 18 years or older in the USA over a 30 day period in 2011, 2013, and 2015 about their stress, depression, problems with emotions, and their participation in exercise/physical activity. They found that individuals who exercised had 1.49 fewer days of poor mental health in the past month than individuals who did not exercise. All exercise types listed above were associated with lower mental health difficulties, and recreational sports, cycling, and aerobic exercise were associated with the least amount of mental health difficulties. Forty-five minutes of physical activity at least three to five times per week was the ideal amount of exercise found to reduce mental health difficulties.
The Manayunk and Roxborough neighborhoods have various recreational sports teams available to join for individuals of all ages! Also, the Manayunk Towpath is perfect for aerobic exercise, cycling, walking, and hiking – either solo or with a friend. The beautiful fall weather in Manayunk /Roxborough is here, so start increasing your physical today! Please click the links below for additional information on Manayunk Tow Path and recreational sports available in the area.
Resources:
http://manayunk.com/news-and-events/blog/2016/06/10/tour-of-the-towpath/
Chekroud, S. R., Gueorguieva, R., Zheutlin, A. B., Paulus, M., Krumholz, H. M., Krystal, J. H., & Chekroud, A. M. (2018). Association between physical exercise and mental health in 1· 2 million individuals in the USA between 2011 and 2015: a cross-sectional study. The lancet psychiatry, 5(9), 739-746.
Friedrich, M. J. (2017). Depression is the leading cause of disability around the world. Jama, 317(15), 1517-1517.
By: Nicole Henriquez, MS, LPC