What if you could do something for just an hour a week to avoid feeling sad or depressed? Would you do it?
Think about it…
- There are 168 hours in a week.
- That’s 10,080 minutes.
- After sleeping, going to work, and other need-to-do tasks, could you find just a few minutes a day in your busy schedule?
It might be as easy cutting back on screen time, waking up a few minutes earlier, or taking a needed break during the workday.
Q: Could an hour a week really make a difference in the way you feel?
A: Yes, when you use that hour to be active.
A recent study found that even a little exercise can improve your mood and help prevent depression.
In the study, researchers tracked 33,908 people for 11 years. They looked at exercise habits and the number of people who developed depression.
People who were active an hour a week or more were 44 percent less likely to develop depression.
“The key finding from this study is that doing even a small amount of regular exercise seems to protect adults against future depression,” says lead researcher Dr. Samuel Harvey.
The problem…most people don’t get enough exercise.
- Here’s how much exercise you need: The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week and strength training exercise at least two days a week.
- Here’s how much exercise most people get: Only 23 percent of adults get the minimum amount of exercise.
If you’re already getting at least 20 minutes of physical activity a day, keep it up.
But if you’re not, start small with just a few minutes a day. Go for a walk. Take the stairs. Ride a bike. Pick an activity you enjoy, and get going.
It’s a great way to beat the blues, improve your health, and prevent depression.