Can you walk your way to better mental health? A new study suggests that increasing the number of daily steps you take could help reduce symptoms of depression. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Castile-La Mancha in Spain, found that as daily step counts rise, depression levels fall.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from 33 studies involving over 96,000 adults worldwide. Participants in these studies used fitness trackers to monitor their daily step counts. The researchers found that increasing daily steps, even at modest levels, was associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms.
Specifically, the study found that increasing daily steps up to about 10,000 steps per day was linked to a decrease in the odds of developing depression. Compared to a baseline of 5,000 steps per day, taking an additional 1,000 steps daily was associated with a 9% decrease in the odds of depression.
The benefits of walking continued to increase with higher step counts. Participants who walked 7,000 steps per day had a 31% lower odds of depression compared to those walking 5,000 steps or less. Walking more than 7,500 steps per day was associated with a 43% lower prevalence of depression.
However, the study did find that there was a leveling off of mental health benefits at around 10,000 steps per day. Beyond this point, increasing step counts did not significantly reduce depressive symptoms.
The researchers concluded that walking is a simple and effective way to help prevent depression. Setting goals for the number of daily steps could be a promising public health strategy for improving mental health. Walking joins other forms of physical activity, such as aerobics, weight training, and yoga, as a way to combat depression.
In conclusion, taking more steps each day could be a valuable tool in managing and preventing depression. It’s a simple, accessible, and effective way to boost your mental health. So, lace up your walking shoes and start stepping towards a happier, healthier you.
