In addition to being beneficial for the body, physical activity is also a natural anxiolytic.
Playing sports, at least thirty minutes of activity per day, would help to reduce the risk of depression or even improve the effect of anti-depressant treatments.
In this gloomy period, between the prospect of a new confinement, the closure of places of socialization and the appearance of new variants of Covid-19, all the tips are good to take to feel better.
The benefits of physical activity on the body have long been recognized, but it turns out that sport could also help our psyche.
Indeed, doing 30 minutes of activity per day would release hormones that promote mental well-being and relieve depression.
Doctor Jimmy Mohamed, health consultant of Europe 1, takes stock.
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A natural anxiolytic
"Practicing physical activity is good for your health: reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, reduced risk of diabetes, cancer, obesity. All of this contributes to increasing your life expectancy. Benefits that may seem remote. But the sport can also have an immediate benefit: an improvement in our mental health. We have all experienced this feeling of relaxation and well-being after jogging, a little tennis match or after dancing. But could sport to be considered as a treatment like antidepressants? The answer would rather be yes.
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Studies are piling up and the data are rather in this favor.
A study of more than three million people in eleven different countries shows that physical activity has positive effects on people who are a little depressed.
Playing sports limits the risk of depression.
Which means that exercise is probably the best anti-anxiety drug and the best antidepressant out there.
Creation of neurons and blood vessels
First, while physical activity can treat depression, conversely, a sedentary lifestyle can trigger depression.
In particular, and studies show, if you watch too much TV.
In this anxiety-provoking period, you have to get screens and information.
Physical exercise will allow the creation of new neurons in the brain, in an area responsible in particular for memory called the hippocampus.
Sport will also produce new blood cells which will increase the perfusion of the brain.
The activity increases the lifespan of your neurons and lulls an area responsible for painful memories.
All traumatic events will fall asleep.
Playing sports also allows the secretion of growth hormones.
If you are already being treated for depression, anything that can do you good can also help boost the effects of the treatment.
One day is equivalent to 1,440 minutes, but it only takes 30 minutes a day to get better. "