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US researchers have discovered that regular aerobic exercise can help
people who suffer from depression as much as prescribed drugs.
The American study observed the the depression rates over 133 people. Some
of the 133 took only exercise and no drugs. Some took only the antidepressants
prescribed, while others did both.
The exercise consisted of 30 minutes of aerobic work, three times per week
for 10 months.
After a period of four months the research team observed that the exercise
prescribed worked as effectively as the drugs and drugs plus exercise at
lowering and controlling bouts of depression with the groups.
After almost a year on the programme the exercise only group were half as
likely to be diagnosed with depression s the others within the study.
The research team believe this occurred because exercise gave the participants
a sense of the self-control, mastery, a feeling of accomplishment and a
chance to break from the dependency drug use - even prescribed - can create.
Not only that but exercise famously promotes the release of feel-good hormones
called endorphins into the brain.
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