Scientists have discovered a simple way to improve depression

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Physical exercises can be an effective mood booster for people with depression. Even one hour of physical activity per week will bring benefits.

A team of scientists from the University of Iowa (USA), led by kinesiologist Jacob Meyer, became interested in how intense exercise, namely one session per day, affects the primary symptoms of depression. They analyzed the test results of 30 volunteers before, during and after moderately intense half-hour cycling, as well as those who simply rested. The tests included a questionnaire to assess current mood and feelings, several cognitive tests, a scale to measure anhedonia (a broad spectrum of disorders of hedonic function that includes a decrease in motivation or ability to experience pleasure).

Scientists were particularly interested in a clearer profile of how a person's mental state changes during the exercise session and after it.

As it turned out, during the training, the participants usually observed an improvement in mood. It was stored for at least 75 minutes. after the workout was over. The feeling of anhedonia also decreased, although it began to return after 75 minutes, writes ScienceAlert.

Scientists agree: the fact that after physical activity there is an immediate improvement in mood and general satisfaction becomes an additional argument for motivating people with depression do more sports. It makes sense to plan some things that require psychological or cognitive concentration in the near future after training, the researchers advise.