How does exercise help depression?
Research suggests that regular exercise may increase levels of serotonin in the brain.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep, libido, appetite and other functions, and has been linked to depression.

Exercise may also increase endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain with ‘mood-lifting’ properties.

Regular exercise may also help depression by:

Increasing energy levels
Helping to get a good night’s sleep
Providing distraction from worries and rumination
Providing social support and reducing loneliness if exercise is done with other people
Increasing a sense of control and self-esteem, by taking an active role in the individual’s own recovery.

Key points about the role of exercise in treating depression

Regular exercise can be an effective treatment by itself for non-melancholic depressions (particularly for people who were previously ‘sedentary’ or inactive).

For more severe melancholic depressions, exercise may be a helpful adjunctive strategy alongside other treatments (e.g. medication or psychological therapies).

Exercise does not need to be extremely vigorous to be helpful for depression -simply briskly walking each day can be beneficial.

For those with a melancholic depression and experiencing a distinct lack of energy in the morning, immediate exercise on getting out of bed can be beneficial.