This simple habit helps fight depression

This simple habit helps fight depression

It is no longer a secret: practicing regular physical and sporting activity ensures good physical health, but not only that. Practicing sports also has a positive effect on mental health.

as mentioned health.governmentPhysical activity especially contributes to improving the quality of sleep, reducing stress and anxiety levels or even increasing self-esteem, while we hear everywhere that 10,000 steps per day are enough to stay in good shape. Walking is recommended for physical and mental health, in fact, walking just 5000 steps per day will be enough to fight depression.

Walking 5,000 steps a day: The key to fighting depression?

According to a study published by the company jama network open In 2024, walking will be a key ally in promoting mental health and well-being. To get this figure of 5,000 steps per day, researchers analyzed data from 33 studies involving nearly 100,000 adults from different populations.

A project that was based on a simple question: Is a greater number of steps associated with fewer symptoms of depression in adulthood? The answer is formal: “Our results showed a significant association between higher daily steps and fewer depressive symptoms, as well as lower prevalence and risk of depression in the general adult population”As relayed psychology today,

a free activity

Obviously, the more we walk, the less risk we have of developing depression. According to the study, people who walk less than 5,000 steps per day develop depressive symptoms: “Adults who walked more than 10,000 steps per day had the lowest rates of depression. Walking at least 7,000 steps per day reduces the risk of depression by 31%, and walking more than 7,500 steps reduces the prevalence of depression by 42%.

The good news is that walking 5,000 steps a day is very accessible and possible, whether it’s going to work, taking a walk at the end of the day, stretching your legs at lunch, taking the stairs instead of taking the elevator… in summary. In, you will no longer have any excuse.

As you may have guessed, walking at least 5,000 steps per day reduces depressive symptoms and reduces the risk of depression. And it’s a completely free game! So what are you waiting for?