This activity improves mood with a lasting effect in people suffering from depression

Depression is a mental disorder that often presents with a very persistent depressive state. It often manifests as loss of interest in any type of activity. Depression is very harmful because it creates negative effects in daily life. It can have either a biological or a psychological source. Either way, there is treatment for depression.

Physical activity is essential for good health.

Typically, doctors prescribe medication for people with depression. But studies have shown that practicing physical activity helps improve brain function and reduce feelings of depression.

Exercise is proven to boost mood, especially for people who have major depressive disorder. In addition, practicing one hour of physical activity per week reduces the risk of falling into another depressive episode. Physical activities are therefore very profitable for physical health but also for mental health. The searcher Jacob Meyer of OWA State University says depression presents in different ways for each individual.

For example, each episode begins with a loss of interest in life and is followed by depression. This symptom is better known as “anhedonia”. Depression affects the cognitive functionsand results in memory loss as well as slow processing of activities.

A survey was designed to determine this claim

Jacob Meyer decided to conduct an experiment published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise. For this, he brought together 30 volunteers. During the test, the participants performed a cycling session with a moderately intense speed and then another calmer session. They also had to answer questionnaires to assess their mood after each session. Halfway through the cycle, participants said they felt an improvement in their mood, especially after each workout. This state could even last up to 75 minutes. But after those 75 minutes, the feeling started to fade. However, this result is positive compared to those who did not perform exercises.

The researchers say that this experience could encourage depressed people to engage in physical activities. Yet depression itself leaves no room for motivation. People who suffer from it must pass this course and this is already a great improvement in reducing anhedonia. Other studies are underway to highlight other treatments that could put an end to this disease.