Depression is a peculiar condition of the mind where nothing we do seems to be enough. Experts say the mind should be kept engaged so it does not return to thoughts that pull you down. Theoretically perhaps this is a sound suggestion, but practically depression is very difficult to beat. A study by British researchers suggests 30-minute country walks may help lift the mood and reduce stress.
The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Essex for mental health charity, Mind. It tested out “ecotherapy” as a way to beat mental illnesses. Ecotherapy is the use of green surroundings to help people combat mental health problems. The study is released even as it emerged that antidepressant prescriptions are at an all-time high in the UK. Depression is fast becoming a leading mental health problem in the country.
In the study, 20 participants were randomly assigned to either take 30-minute walks in the green environments of the country or walk in the midst of an indoor shopping center.
Researchers found the “green” group to be higher in self-esteem and less depressed than before they began the experiment. Around 71 per cent reported decreased levels of depression, while 71 per cent said their tension eased after the country walk. 90 percent of people reported higher self-esteem after their country walk.
Comparatively 22 percent of the group that walked in the shopping center reported feeling more depressed than before, while 50 per cent said they were more tense following their walk. Around 40 percent reported that they felt low on self esteem following this exercise.
“Mind sees ecotherapy as an important part of the future for mental health. It’s a credible, clinically-valid treatment option and needs to be prescribed by GPs, especially when for many people access to treatments other than antidepressants is extremely limited,” researchers said.
They added that doctors must consider using long country walks as a part of the treatment plan for depression.
Copyright 2013 NewsFix.ca
NewsFix LLC.
