Experts Encourage Exercise to Protect Against Depression

The Black Dog Institute is challenging Australians to complete at least one hour of physical activity a week to help improve their physical and mental health as part of ‘Exercise Your Mood’ week, until May 6, 2018.

The campaign follows a recent study led by the Black Dog Institute which found that even a small amount of physical activity – as little as one hour each week – may be able to protect against depression, regardless of age, gender or current fitness level.

“The current exercise habits of many Australians are concerning,” Associate Professor Sam Harvey from Black Dog Institute said.

“In Australia, we still have many people suffering from depression, but there is a lot of exciting research that is beginning to tell us how we may be able to reduce the amount of depression in our communities.

“Our study shows that encouraging people to take on just a small amount of exercise each week could have a significant impact on depression rates more broadly.”

Black Dog Institute Ambassador Michelle Bridges said she has seen first-hand the positive impact exercise can have on a person’s mental health, which is why I’m so passionate about getting people moving.

“And we’re not talking running marathons or climbing Everest here – just adding in a little bit of extra activity can really make a big difference,” she said.

According to the Australian Health Survey, 20 percent of Australian adults do not undertake any regular physical activity, and more than a third spend less than 1.5 hours per week being physically active.

This same survey also showed that around one million Australians are living with depression, with one in five Australians aged 16-85 experiencing a mental illness in any year.