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Hiking can cure depression
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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A simple walk could be very useful in treating depression, say researchers from Scotland. It is well known that this neurological disorder can be effectively and almost certainly cured by hard exercise in the gym at the highest level of load and intensity.
But experts suspect that such hard physical work is unlikely to be considered a panacea in the fight against depressive disorders. In total, scientists conducted 8 independent studies with the participation of 341 patients to confirm this fact. Experts assessed the effects of ordinary leisurely walking, usually in the fresh air, in terms of overcoming the main signs of depression.
As a result, it was found that the effect achieved from walking statistically insignificantly differs from a similar effect obtained in the gym. According to scientists, probably, as in the case of physical activity, walking can act not only as a means of treating depressive disorders, but also as a successful way of preventing them. Among other things, by taking periodic walks, a person is guaranteed to improve his overall mental well-being, which is currently considered a fairly significant component of a healthy lifestyle, especially against the background of an increase in the incidence of degenerative brain diseases worldwide.
However, the results obtained in different studies varied greatly. The researchers tried to vary the characteristics of the control group participants, the conditions in which they walked, the speed of walking, and many other factors. As a result, many questions remain about the new method of treating depression, and the main ones are considered to be sufficient or necessary speed and duration of walking. The researchers report that it will be possible to get answers to these questions by conducting new studies. The main reason for such a beneficial effect of walking is that during slow walking a person is in a state of special peace of mind, while experiencing minimal physical exertion - for several hours after such walks, the production of all the key hormones responsible for an excellent mood will be stimulated
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