A new study has found that dancing may be as effective as antidepressant medication in helping treat depression.
According to Australian researchers, aerobic exercises such as jogging, swimming, and dancing show the most significant impact in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The study also noted that even light physical activity, including walking, can lead to noticeable improvements in symptoms. Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the research was conducted by scientists from James Cook University in Queensland, who stated that exercise should be confidently recommended as a traditional form of treatment.
Researchers further suggested that public health policies should include exercise as an easy, effective, and scientifically proven first-line intervention for mental health, particularly for young adults and women going through the postnatal period, where the strongest benefits were observed.
In the United Kingdom, nearly one in six people experiences depression, while women are almost twice as likely as men to suffer from the condition.
