Healthy living
Mind matters
Walk away from depression
Green exercise is a worthwhile addition to the doctor’s prescription options when treating a patient who’s depressed
Taking a walk in the great outdoors is an excellent way to banish the blues, according to research commissioned by the mental health charity, Mind. And they say that GPs should be encouraged to prescribe ‘green’ exercise as a treatment for patients experiencing mental health problems.
The charity's study, Ecotherapy: the Green Agenda for Mental Health, is the first to look at how green exercise affects those suffering from depression.
Scientists from the University of Essex asked 20 people who suffered from depression to take a walk, first in the country and then in an indoor shopping centre. The team found that seven out of ten of the volunteers said their mood lifted after a green walk, while 22 per cent felt their depression increased after walking through the shopping mall. Ecotherapy also boosted the self-esteem of nine out of ten of the walkers. Half of the window shoppers felt more tense and 44 per cent said they felt less self-confident.
A second study carried out by the University looked at the experiences of 108 people who regularly take part in green activities run by Mind. The team found that 94 per cent said that the experiences helped lift their depression.
The report comes at a time when prescriptions of antidepressants are at an all-time high with over 31 million written in 2006, up 6 per cent on the previous year’s figures.
Mind's Chief Executive Paul Farmer said: ‘Mind sees ecotherapy as a new future for mental health. It's a credible, clinically-valid treatment option. We're not saying that ecotherapy can replace drugs but that the debate needs to be broadened.’
Help yourself to beat depression
- Share your problems. Talking to a family member or close friend can really help ease the burden.
- Try taking a class to help with relaxation, such as meditation or yoga.
- Contact support groups like Mind or the Depression Alliance for advice and help.
- Consider visiting a therapist to talk through your issues.
- Don’t be afraid to visit your doctor to talk through an appropriate treatment programme.
- There are various drug treatments that have proved to be extremely helpful to many people. Your doctor can suggest the type of medication to suit your needs.
More information
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.