Researchers at Indiana University have learned that even minimal amounts of physical activity, like walking, gardening, housekeeping or circuit training, improve the mood of people with bipolar disorder, major depression or schizophrenia. And this information can easily be applied to anyone searching for relief of anxiety, depression, or a simple, nasty mood.
Working with 11 people from the US and 12 people from Serbia over seven consecutive days, researchers randomly paged the participants, who immediately completed questionnaires about their mood and recent activities. The responses were compared to data collected during the previous 10 minutes using accelerometers worn by the participants that measured activity levels and duration.
The average amount of physical activity of the participants was comparable to that of sedentary adults, somewhat lower than adults with developmental disabilities and significantly lower than activity levels of active adults.
Most important, the study proved that he least active experiences correlated with less positive moods, illuminating the need for physical activity as a regular part of psychiatric rehabilitation.
“We found a positive association between physical activity level and positive mood when low to moderate levels of physical activity are considered,” said study author Bryan McCormick, associate professor in IU’s Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies. “Physical activity interventions that require lower levels of exertion might be more conducive to improving transitory mood, or the ups and downs people with SMI experience throughout the day.”
The lesson learned: If you’re feeling blue or anxious or particularly foul, go for a walk, take a yoga class, get on your bike or go for a swim.
Researchers at Indiana University have learned that even minimal amounts of physical activity, like walking, gardening, housekeeping or circuit training, improve the mood of people with bipolar disorder, major depression or schizophrenia. And this information can easily be applied to anyone searching for relief of anxiety, depression, or a simple, nasty mood.
Working with 11 people from the US and 12 people from Serbia over seven consecutive days, researchers randomly paged the participants, who immediately completed questionnaires about their mood and recent activities. The responses were compared to data collected during the previous 10 minutes using accelerometers worn by the participants that measured activity levels and duration.
The average amount of physical activity of the participants was comparable to that of sedentary adults, somewhat lower than adults with developmental disabilities and significantly lower than activity levels of active adults.
Most important, the study proved that he least active experiences correlated with less positive moods, illuminating the need for physical activity as a regular part of psychiatric rehabilitation.
“We found a positive association between physical activity level and positive mood when low to moderate levels of physical activity are considered,” said study author Bryan McCormick, associate professor in IU’s Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Studies. “Physical activity interventions that require lower levels of exertion might be more conducive to improving transitory mood, or the ups and downs people with SMI experience throughout the day.”
The lesson learned: If you’re feeling blue or anxious or particularly foul, go for a walk, take a yoga class, get on your bike or go for a swim.
DO something.
Be physically active.
Literally…
Move To Improve!