A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders has found that running may help ease symptoms of depression as much as medication, plus it offers other health benefits that medication does not. In the study, the 141 participants were given a choice for their treatment between running and taking antidepressants, and 96 opted for exercise while 45 chose medication.
According to lead researcher Brenda Pennix, 44% of the participants in both groups saw improvements in their mental health. Compared to the group that took the antidepressants, the group that chose running also enjoyed other health benefits, such as decreased blood pressure. However, within the group that chose to exercise, participants only adhered to it about 50% of the time, whereas those who chose medication took it 82% of the time.
According to the researchers, both interventions are incredibly effective in improving mental health. For those who are willing to stick with it, regular exercise could be an excellent alternative to medication.
