I could not locate the research I mentioned in past post on exercising 3 days a week for 20 minutes for a month equal to that of taking antidepressant for a month but here is some similar research on exercise, mood, and antidepressants. Looks like the overal result of these studies and research is that you can get the same final result from medications and exercise, but medications will get you there faster while exercise will keep you there longer. I think exercise is a win-win but of course sometimes you may need help with the initial motivation to get moving and that is where medications can be very helpful.
( This article was first printed in the Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School “Understanding Depression”. For more information go to www.health.harvard.edu/UD.)
- http://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/12/exercise.aspx
- http://www.bu.edu/today/2010/exercise-the-other-antidepressant/
(This one isn’t necessarily research but I like it’s explanations.)
(This one is an actual abstract of a research experiment on aging adults divided into groups of those given antidepressant and those given different exercise routines to follow.)
Take Care and nerd up on these studies,
Amanda