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Exercise: the Free Antidepressant

April 14, 2010 7:57 am 5 comments

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Last week, we learned of efforts by two psychologists and researchers to persuade therapists to prescribe exercise to depressed patients. Now BU Today talks in depth with Michael Otto, a professor of psychology at Boston University, about what exactly exercise can do for depression, and how much exercise it should take to lift one's spirits. Three excerpts:

How does exercise for health or anti-aging differ from exercise for
improving mood?
The problem with exercise for health is you have to wait nine months to a
year for results, before your abs and your hips look better. The beauty of exercising for mood is you get the
payoff right now. The other kicker is, being in a bad mood is why a lot
of people don’t exercise, and this becomes precisely the reason to
exercise.

How much exercise should depressed people do for sustained results?
We think that bouts of exercise are important, not just random physical
activity during the day. We’re talking about half-hour chunks, the time
necessary to get people past ruminative thinking. For me, for example,
my brain shuts off at around 22 minutes into a run. And we know what’s
worked in the trials is getting the heart rate up for 20 to 45 minutes
of sustained activity.

How important is the social aspect of exercise?
Depression is an isolating force, and once you’re isolated with a bad
mood, it feeds on itself. Exercise returns you out into the world. It
feeds you in ways over and above the health benefits.

Read more from BU Today.

5 Comments

  • tim
    April 14, 2010
    12:29 pm

    Well, at least some research is being done and some clinical treatments are starting to include exercise as an aid for mental as well as physical health. Its not a cure all, nothing is. And its possible that for some, it could be a problem. But overall, more exercise and less drugs sounds like the best general approach for a population with too much electronic stimulation and not enough physical. t

    Reply
  • Kenny Flores
    April 15, 2010
    12:37 am

    I am a fitness professional who has trained and managed health clubs. I personally can attest to some of my clients build self esteem and self confidence when they experience the elation of accomplishment.

    Reply
  • healthy eating recipe
    April 15, 2010
    4:45 pm

    follow the exercises and maintain eating foods.

    Reply
  • ed
    April 16, 2010
    1:08 pm

    walking isgreat fore your head. ed

    Reply
  • orthopedic emr
    April 29, 2010
    3:45 am

    Physical exercise is one of the most effective ways of relieving stress. Exercising the body regularly is very effective in managing stress..Physical activity really has a bounty of benefits.Anyway,thanks for the good info!
    podiatry emr | emr software

    Reply

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