skip to main content
By the numbers

Want to boost your mental health? Take a walk

It’s a message that bears repeating: Even moderate amounts of exercise can help ward off depression

APA Style leaf logo Cite This Article in APA Style
DeAngelis, T. (2022, November 1). By the numbers: Want to boost your mental health? Take a walk. Monitor on Psychology, 53(8). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/11/defeating-depression-naturally

woman wearing tights and running shoes

18%

Percentage lowered risk of depression among adults who got just half the recommended amount of physical activity per week—the equivalent of about 75 minutes of brisk walking—compared with adults who reported no physical activity.

25%

Percentage lowered risk of depression among adults who got the recommended amount of physical activity per week—about 2.5 hours of brisk walking. Getting more exercise than that does not seem to confer extra mood benefits.

1 in 9

Cases of depression that could potentially be prevented if all adults did just 150 minutes of physical activity per week, the minimal amount recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Recommended Reading

Psychology topics

You may also like